Tagged by @brokendevilwrites

Put your music player on shuffle and answer the questions about each artist. You can skip any repeats if you’d like, but you don’t have to, all the questions are original!

1.

What is this artist? Why Don’t We (song: why don’t we just)

What genre of music do they play? dance-pop

How old are they? i have no idea. they look young, 20s?

Have you ever heard them on the radio? i dont think so...

Have they released any new music within the last year or two? apparently they release an album in 2018

Do they have a male or female vocalist? male

2.

What is this artist? The Midnight (Song: Vampires)

Would you recommend them to someone else?  hell yes. for the saxophone solo alone

Do they write their own music/lyrics? i have no idea. I would assume so.

What are their album artworks like? very neon 80s vibe. (the cover to the album ‘vampires’ is featured on is basically a nude)

If they stopped making music, would you be sad? i only really have listened to this one song, but damn it is good so yes.

Do you know what they look like without searching? i would not

3.

What is this artist? MACK (Song: occasional smoker)

Are they popular and well-known? I would say not. she’s only got four songs.

Have you ever seen them perform live? Nope.

How did you find out about this artist? probably through spotify’s discover weekly playlist

What is their sexuality, if known? i don’t

Is their music easy to dance to? you can dance to any type of music, so hell ye

4.

What is this artist? Lily & Madeleine (Song: Self Care)

Do they play instruments? odds are i would say they do

Would your mother/father listen to them? i don’t think my parents would listen to them on their own time. i don’t think they’d hate them either

Are they still making music today? they’ve actually been consistently releasing a song a week for like a few weeks now

Would you want to meet this artist? They seem nice as heck so yeah

How many songs by this artist do you have? as in bought? none. saved in my playlists on spotify? quite a few.

5.

What is this artist? A R I Z O N A (Song: Electric Touch )

When did you discover this artist? 2016?? ish. 

How many albums do they have? i think just one so far? 

Do you think they are attractive? i actually dont know what they look like.

Have they gone through any line-up changes? not that i know of

Is their music more fun or serious? a nice mix of both. their lyrics to me are very bittersweet but the music itself is upbeat.

6.

What is this artist? Dido (Song: Give You Up.)

Do they play your favourite genre of music? i would say so. but i like everything

What gender are they?  female.

Are they someone you’d want to be friends with in real life? Sure!

Did somebody recommend this band to you? gosh no. she’s been around since i was young. i’ve heard her songs on the radio countless times

Would you play their music at a party? im not really one for parties, but if i did have one, sure, she’s got some jams.

7.

What is this artist? FRENSHIP (Song: Morrison)

How many people are in this band/group?Two!

When did they start making music? eeee, according to spotify 2013

Do they have any songs that are well-known? one of their songs has 400 million plays so i would say yes

Do you listen to this artist regularly? not really

How would you describe their music? popish

8.

What is this artist? I Am Karate. (Song: Bloom)

If they use a stage name, what is their real name(s)? first names are Erika and Marta. Had to look that up. 

Do they regularly make popular charts? i dont think so

Have you ever met this artist? Nada

If they toured in your city, would you go see them? probably not? this is the only song i know of theirs. its a+ tho.

9.

What is this artist? Apollo LTD (Song: man that i used to know)

Are they known for anything else? uhhhh, not that i know of.

What is their nationality? according to their bio, they’re from nashville, so american!

Would you be embarrassed to admit you like this artist? no

Are they older or younger than you? older i think

Has this artist ever toured in your country/state/city? most likely. 

10.

What is this artist? Denitia (Song: One Day)

Do you know much about their personal life? nope

Have they ever gone on hiatus and did they return? i have no idea

What instruments do they use? oh gosh, i would guess a whole bunch.

What city are they from? she’s from somewhere in NY

Do you think this artist has a lot of fans? no clue! her songs aren’t that popular, but she has this really nice voice so i hope she does.

tagging: @anyaandlexadeservedtolive @ur-the-puppy @hanasaku-shijin @entirelytookeen or who ever wants to 

Capsize

Available on FF Here and AO3 Here.

A/N: Hey everyone! I know it has been a long time since I published a oneshot, but with my other two stories happening at the same time, I’ve been a little all over the place. This chapter is based on a number of prompts for more stories with Killian in the military, but there was one of you who was pretty specific. I have decided to run with that request. In this fic Killian was in the navy and he met Emma in a bar on his last night of leave. They fell in love at first sight but he had to ship back overseas the next day. Months later when he’s finally been discharged he comes back for her, and, low and behold, she has a surprise for him. I am sure you can all guess what that surprise might be. The song I am pairing with this is ‘Capsize’ by Frenship and Emily Warren. Hope you all enjoy and thanks so much for reading!

Standing at the processing bay at the naval base in Washington, Killian Jones had never felt more on edge.

He was a SEAL, a fighter through and through, and a sailor with the self-composure to go into enemy territory without blinking an eye. Killian had seen war up close and personal for the past ten years, and his life had been dangerously close to ending more times than he could count, but none of it compared to this moment. Waiting for the bloody paperwork to go through so he could get on to his forever was like diving into bitter cold ocean water only to learn your air tank was running low. It was maddening and overwhelming. The time seemed endless, and it honestly felt like some kind of torture.

It shouldn’t be this difficult to get them checked out of the damn service. He’d filled out all the forms and David had too, but this woman – Captain Regina Mills – was taking her sweet time processing their request. This should be more straight forward: their tours were done, they should get to go home, but until that final stamp of approval was granted, he was still a SEAL and still beholden to rules. Until he received this confirmation he still belonged in many ways to the United States of America, and for what he had planned he needed freedom, and he needed it now.

“Well, Lieutenant Jones, Lieutenant Nolan, it seems everything is in order,” Captain Mills said, barely smiling. She was so severe and serious, but then again so were many of the other captains they’d served along the way. Killian didn’t know how they did it. He’d hate to be so rigid and conforming. It had always been the hardest part of his life as a SEAL.

“So we’re good to go then?” David asked, putting into words Killian’s own hopes while already forsaking the formality of military life. Captain Mills looked amused at the lapse, but Killian didn’t know if it was genuine or not.

“You are. You have both officially been honorably discharged from the United States Navy. We appreciate your service.”

“Thank you, Ma’am,” they said in complete synchronization, saluting the captain, even if their time was done, before turning and walking out back into the balmy summer day.  

“I can’t believe we finally did it, man – it’s all over,” David exclaimed, his grin as happy as Killian had ever seen it. “Sure you don’t want to go back for another round?”

The question from David was clearly a joke. The only reason David had even served another tour at all was because he needed a bit more money for the ‘castle’ he was aiming to buy his high school sweetheart, Mary Margaret. The two of them were already married, and at their last check in back on the ship Mary Margaret had given David some news that couldn’t wait – she was pregnant. It had happened during their leave three months ago and David was the happiest man in the whole damn world.

“No. I would never do that now. I can’t,” Killian said, his tone harsher than David deserved, but his friend took it like a champ.

“Ah right. Because you have to get the girl. Mr. ‘Marriage-Is-A-Construct’ finally found his one. God it almost brings a tear to my eyes.”

“You want to make it back to your wife in one piece, mate? Because I can arrange an alternative,” Killian said, glaring at David with his best ‘do not fuck with me’ face, which irritatingly only made David smile more.

“All right, all right I surrender. No more jokes,” David promised as he swung his duffle into the back of the truck with Killian and then got in the driver’s seat to start them on their journey home. It was too much, however, to expect silence from his friend for a whole ten hours. After all, David and Mary Margaret were a perfect couple. They were both good, and loyal, and kind, but they were also nosey and opinionated, and they never could seem to drop a topic of intrigue when they thought they were helping a friend.

“I know Emma’s different,” David said, talking over the radio Killian had tried to put on for distraction’s sake. Killian’s jaw ticked and his arms crossed over his chest, but David was undeterred. “Even if it was only one night, I know you love her.”

Killian didn’t know if it was the mention of his love that caused the slam in his chest or if it was just her name. Truth be told, the mere thought of Emma had the possibility to light up any kind of darkness. She was this impossibly remarkable thing in a world that had so little beauty or hope. She’d been a life raft for Killian when he didn’t even realize he was drowning, and an anchor when his ship was lost at sea. It defied explanation. A complete stranger that he met in a bar shouldn’t be able to affect him like that, but one smile from Emma – along with one silken, throaty chuckle when she found his ‘charm’ to be over the top – had trapped him. He was hers from the very start, and leaving her the next day had been the worst damn pain he’d ever known.

“If you know then why do you keep going on about it?”

“Because I want you to admit it,” David said with a laugh. “And because I’m damn well entitled. You gave me hell when I found Mary Margaret. HELL. It’s my turn to do the same.”

“I don’t care what you do to me, David. I only care that I find her.”

This announcement prompted a bellowing laugh from David, an honest to goodness laugh that shook his friend so much Killian almost wondered if he’d pull over the car to keep from crashing. It was so loud that it startled Killian, and he watched as tears streamed down his friend’s face and he wiped them away, still laughing. Finally David got himself together enough to motion to the glove compartment. Killian assumed he wanted tissues or a Xanax or something, since he was clearly unhinged, but instead there was a file with a name – Emma Swan.

“You didn’t really think I’d let us retire without already having found her for you did you?” David asked, laughter still teasing at the corner of his eyes as he shook his head at the very idea.

“But how did you – when did you -,”

“I borrowed a computer while you were in your one-on-one,” David said with a shrug. “Then I paid a new recruit to drop what I found off in the truck once it all printed.

“You borrowed it?” Killian echoed. “Or you commandeered it?”

“Eh, same thing. It took a minute, but I found her. Hell I got everything about her that I could, including the fact that she’s still there. She never left Boston.”

“She didn’t?” Killian said, shocked to find that out. During their night together, Emma had confessed that she was a runner. She preferred a life of constant moving, and she’d already been in the city for a few months. She was planning to leave within the week, now he had to wonder what had changed her mind?

“Nope. She moved to a new apartment though. Probably for the best you didn’t mail those letters. She didn’t list a forwarding address with the post office.”

The mention of the letters that Killian had written every day for the past few months was slightly embarrassing. He had thought he was discrete enough to not have drawn anyone’s attention, but when he considered it, it made sense that David would put the pieces together. There was no one in Killian’s life from outside of the military, so there was no real reason for him to be writing anyone. A few times they’d been out on mission, with barely any time for sleep and Killian had tried to write a few lines in secret, but he supposed that would be the kind of thing David would hone in on. Especially since he was so fixated on Killian’s potential future.

“You realize you’re going to have to stop digging like this now that we’re out in the real world again, right?”

“Hmm,” David said, in what Killian had come to learn was a far from affirmative answer. “So you gonna read it, or just stare at it a while?”

“I don’t know,” Killian answered honestly.

On the one hand he wanted to know every last detail of Emma’s life, but on the other hand it felt wrong to learn it this way. What he wanted most of all was time with her, because time would allow them the chance to grow the connection that had formed in an instant months before. Reading this would take away some of that magic, and Killian was torn about what he should do. Should he give in to his craving to know her? Or should he wait and hope that she’d let him in enough to see all that lay beneath the surface?

“Just open it.”

Killian complied with David’s request and he found two things at the top of the pile: a recent picture of Emma and her new address. Perfect.

“I figured you might not actually want the other stuff, so I condensed what was needed right on top.”

“And the rest of this is just what? Blank pages?”

“Nope,” David said before chuckling to himself as he continued to watch the road. “Those are Mary Margaret’s contribution.”

Curiosity got the better of Killian and he flipped through to see that David’s wife had, quite literally, gone off the deep end with this compilation. Page after page was filled with ideas and requests and hopes for Killian and Emma. There were recommendations for the perfect first date, anniversary ideas, potential wedding venues, and even a list of the top 100 most underrated baby names. There was enough here to map out an entire life for Killian and Emma, or at least the next fifty or so years.

“I’m sorry, are these retirement villages?” Killian asked, his shock and dismay no doubt evident from his tone.

“Yeah I told her that might be a bit much,” David replied. Killian turned to his friend and arched a brow as if to silently say that every damn part of this was ‘a bit much.’ “But it made her happy, and with the baby coming, I couldn’t very well say no, could I?”

“You two are unbelievable,” Killian said, shaking his head even as laughter built in his chest. He supposed it could be worse after all: his friends could be trying to stop him from pursuing this. They could judge him for caring as much about Emma as he did so swiftly. But no, David and Mary Margaret were completely on board with all of his plans, and they clearly had ideas of their own that they were only too glad to offer.

“It was going to be thicker, but then I told her you already had a ring and so she cut back.”

The mention of the ring he had in his pocket prompted Killian to pull it out. There was no point hiding it, not when David already knew all about it, and he wanted to see it again. It was his grandmother’s ring once upon a time, passed down to his mother and then to him. The center stone was an opulent sapphire, and the surrounding diamonds sparkled in the sunlight. It was elegant and classic, a cut above what the average SEAL could afford, but where Killian knew it was objectively beautiful, he doubted any ring could be worthy of Emma.

“So when do you think you’ll ask her?” David questioned, breaking Killian’s trance.

“When she’s ready,” Killian responded resolutely.

“Can you wait that long?” Good question.

“I can damn well try.”

For the rest of the long hours up the coast, Killian continued to think on what exactly the future might look like with Emma, especially when they were first reunited. In his heart, he knew that the connection they shared had to mean something. It was too sure and too strong, even if it was only one night, for this to be some fleeting, one time thing. In fact, Killian couldn’t conceive of it as anything but a life-long love, but getting Emma to see that may very well be a battle. He’d been gone for months and they’d left things hanging in that time.

They hadn’t spoken since the morning that he headed back to the ship, much to Killian’s dismay, and he didn’t know if Emma would be open to him now even though his heart had always been wherever she was. He might have to prove himself to her, but though it would be hard, Killian was ready. Whatever it took to have Emma in his life, he would do. If there were trials that needed facing or paces he was put through to show how serious he was, he was fine with that. The only thing he wouldn’t negotiate on was when to find her again. He had to see her as soon as he could, and he was so desperate to lay eyes on her again that he asked David to drop him off at Emma’s place instead of his own.

“I already had it in the GPS,” David said gleefully. “And don’t worry. Mary Margaret and I will hold onto your stuff until you’re ready.”

Killian thanked David and soon after that they pulled up before her apartment. But it wasn’t until he was out of the car and David’s red truck was heading down the street that Killian considered how big a step this was. Showing up at her door out of the blue was a risk to be sure. Would it scare her away? Was he making a mistake? Killian didn’t know, but he couldn’t keep himself from trying all the same. He made his way to her door, glad that a neighbor was heading out at the same time that he was trying to get inside. He moved up the stairs to the floor where Emma’s address claimed she’d be, and then he was there, standing at her front door, and at the precipice of the rest of his life. He hesitated only a moment before knocking soundly.

Though it only took a few more seconds for the door to swing open, it felt damn near a lifetime to Killian. Waiting even a little bit felt like more than he could bear after countless nights spent wishing he was with her again. But in the moment when he saw Emma, standing there before him looking just as beautiful as in his dreams, he finally felt like he was home again. Nothing had been right or made sense without her, and it didn’t matter to Killian that that feeling was crazy. He didn’t need time to know what was right for him, and Emma Swan was everything that could possibly be right in the world.

“Killian, when did you… I mean how did you…” her words trailed off as her eyes filled with tears as her hands reached out for him. “You came back.”

It seemed that she couldn’t believe her eyes in this moment, and like her relief was overwhelming her. His heart clutched tightly in his chest at the sight of her tears. God he wished he’d found a way to know where she was all this time. He never dreamed that she’d be worried for him or missing him as badly as he missed her, but her expression was undeniable. As deep as he was in his love for her, Emma was feeling just as much, and she’d faced his months away with probably just as much pain and sorrow as he had.

“Aye, love, I did. I’m home now - home for good – and I’m not going anywhere.”

Not without you. He left those words unsaid, but no sooner had he made his promise to stay than she was leaping into his arms, hugging him in a way that lacked reserve or any kind of hiding. The feel of her in his arms was all too much and yet not enough, and so he pulled back only to kiss her and revel in the feeling of tasting the woman he loved again. It had been touch and go before, but he’d made it, and he’d be a damn fool if he let another second go by without showing her how much she meant to him.

“I can’t lie, Swan, it makes me damn glad that you’re not pushing me away right now,” he said when they came back up for air and Emma pulled him inside her apartment, keeping hold of him as she shut the door and then led him inside.

“I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again,” Emma confessed, her eyes casting downwards. A heartbreaking sadness returned to her features and it struck Killian so forcefully that he would give anything to ease her suffering. Killian brought his hand to cup her cheek, and she looked back up at him before continuing on. “I was so scared for you. I know we only had one night together, but -,”

“But it was a hell of a night,” he whispered causing Emma to smile and shake her head even though he knew that she agreed. She’d told him at their first meeting that he was cocky and that she wasn’t into guys with huge egos, but soon enough she’d realized that for Killian it was all in jest. He might play the suave, collected type, but underneath he was just a man, a man who loved her more than anything. “Look, Emma, I promised you when we met that I’d be honest and so I think there’s something I should tell you.”

“I have something to tell you too,” Emma said, sounding a bit panicked, but Killian only shook his head and brought her hands up to kiss one by one.

“Let me say this first love, before I lose my nerve. I know to everyone else it probably seems like we barely know each other. They’ll say that there’s no way to be certain, or that one night is too soon to fall this hard and this surely, but I know differently. I know that you’re the best woman I’ve ever met, that you’re brilliant, and beautiful, and perfect,  and I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know every other part of what makes you you.”

Killian watched as his words washed over Emma, and the restlessness that she’d exhibited moments ago melted away. She looked desperate to hear everything and the more he said the happier she became. She was holding back still, not letting herself totally cave to hope quite yet, but he was certain that despite everything, she was ready to hear all that he felt.

“I love you, Emma. I think it started the very moment I saw you, but in one night you ran away with my heart completely. Leaving you…” his voice broke from the emotion and only Emma’s hands running over him in silent pleading could keep him on the track of his confession. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and all I could think while I was gone was that I had to get back to you. Truth be told, you saved me out there, Emma, more times than I care to admit. Knowing you were here, knowing our story had only just begun, it was enough to get me through. And I know you probably don’t feel the same quite yet. I know it’s crazy, and maybe you need time but -,”

“I don’t,” Emma said, interrupting his nervous babbling. “I don’t need time. I feel the same way.”

“You do?” Killian asked, elated as his arms tightened around her and Emma nodded, happy tears forming as she smiled up at him. Still he needed to hear it. He was desperate for those three little words, and she must have known it because she offered them up so beautifully.

“I love you, Killian. And I’m really, really glad you love me too, because that night brought us more than just each other.”

“I know, Swan. It brought a beginning, a happy beginning that we’re starting right now. I want all of it with you Emma. Dating, living together, marriage, the works. I want to start a family together, Swan, the kind neither of us ever had,” her eyes grew wide at how quickly he was going, and he laughed, knowing she wasn’t going to run even if he had stunned her. “But more than anything I want a life – our life together. I just want what you want, whatever that might be.”

“Well about that… there’s some parts of your dream that have kind of already started,” Emma said, bringing his hand over her stomach where he noticed a small bump that hadn’t been there before. It took a moment, but when he realized what she was saying his throat closed up and his own eyes grew misty. Could this really be his life? Could he really be this lucky?

“You’re pregnant?” Killian whispered in awe and Emma nodded, prompting him to pull her in for another kiss.

The celebration in this embrace was tangible as their hands roamed and the two of them arched for closeness. His need for Emma gripped at him like a fever, and he couldn’t wrap his head around just how wonderful this news was. Whatever came next, he would thank God every day of his life that he had the chance at all of this with Emma. He would never deserve her, but he would work day in and day out to be better for her and for their family. Somehow he’d be enough for her and for them, but first there was something he needed her to know.

“We’re getting married,” Killian proclaimed as they broke apart from the kiss.

“We are?” Emma asked, looking amused through the lust and love that colored her green eyes.

“Yes. You can have whatever you want for a wedding, Swan. I’ll make you’re every dream come true, but you will marry me.”

“You’re not even going to ask?” Emma said with a laugh and Killian shook his head.

“Can’t risk you saying no,” he said, as if that were explanation enough, but then he pulled the ring he’d been carrying with him from his back pocket and he slipped it on her finger.

“Well you may not be asking, but my answer is the same,” Emma said, grinning wildly as she looked from her new ring back up to him. “Yes, Killian Jones, I will marry you.”

And with that promise, the two of them started their wonderful new life together, knowing that while their story might be unusual, it was as beautiful and unique as their love was for each other.

………………

Up at night I'm awake cause it haunts me That I never got to say what I wanted Oh my God, oh my God I’m not the same as I was with you I would jump out my skin just to get you Oh my God, oh my God How could you have ever known If I never let it show, now I just wanna know are you?

I'm fine Drop tears in the morning Give in to the lonely Here it comes with no warning I capsize, I'm first in the water Too close to the bottom I'm right back where I started Said I'm fine

Your silhouette is burned in my memory Rubble left from the moment that you left me Oh my God, oh my God And three words have never come easy Cause you're more than they ever could be Oh my God, oh my God How could you have ever known If I never let it show, now I just wanna know are you?

I'm fine Drop tears in the morning Give in to the lonely Here it comes with no warning I capsize, I'm first in the water Too close to the bottom I'm right back where I started Said I'm fine

I'm swimming up against the tide Oh my god I'm swimming but I'm getting tired Oh my god I'm swimming up against the tide Oh my god I'm swimming but I'm getting tired Oh my god

I'm fine Drop tears in the morning Give in to the lonely Here it comes with no warning I capsize, I'm first in the water Too close to the bottom I'm right back where I started Said I'm fine

I think about you, love you, and I'm filled with pride

Post-Note: So after so much time away from the mixtape I am really glad to get to put this out there. I had all of these lofty goals of trying to get through all of my prompts during my summer vacation… oh how naïve I have been. Between two other multi-chapters, my summer research, and the fact that my awesome readers sent me another ten prompts since summer started, I haven’t made the actual progress that I wanted. That being said, more will be coming (it will take a while again, sorry guys) and I want to thank you all for reading and I hope that you enjoyed!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9,Part 10,Part 11, Part 12,Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24,Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31,Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38,Part 39,Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45,Part 46,Part 47, Part 48, Part 49, Part 50, Part 51, Part 52, Part 53,Part 54,Part 55, Part 56, Part 57, Part 58, Part 59, Part 60,Part 61,Part 62, Part 63, Part 64, Part 65, Part 66, Part 67, Part 68,Part 69,Part 70, Part 71, Part 72, Part 73, Part 74, Part 75,Part 76,Part 77, Part 78, Part 79, Part 80, Part 81, Part 82, Part 83,Part 84,Part 85, Part 86, Part 87, Part 88, Part 89, Part 90,Part 91,Part 92, Part 93, Part 94, Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98,Part 99,Part 100, Part 101, Part 102, Part 103,Part 104, Part 105,Part 106, Part 107,Part 108, Part 109, Part 110,Part 111, Part 112,Part 113, Part 114, Part 115,Part 116, Part 117, Part 118,Part 119,Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123,Part 124, Part 125,Part 126, Part 127, Part 128,Part 129,Part 130, Part 131,Part 132,Part 133, Part 134, Part 135, Part 136, Part 137, Part 138,Part 139,Part 140, Part 141, Part 142, Part 143, Part 144, Part 145,Part 146, Part 147, Part 148,Part 149, Part 150, Part 151,Part 152, Part 153, Part 154, Part 155, Part 156, Part 157, Part 158,Part 159, Part 160, Part 161, Part 162, Part 163, Part 164,Part 165, Part 166, Part 167, Part 168, Part 169, Part 170,Part 171,Part 172, Part 173, Part 174, Part 175, Part 176,Part 177, Part 178, Part 179 , Part 180, Part 181

We need no reminding when it comes to how enamored we are with FRENSHIP. The platinum-selling duo from Los Angeles has given us a steady diet of synth laden, radiant beaming pop for awhile now, and they even teamed up with another favorite of ours, Yoke Lore, for their last single Wanted A Name. Come May 17th, our eager sonic trek with FRENSHIP culminates in their debut album Vacation. To celebrate its announcement and its impending arrival on Counter Records, FRENSHIP has unveiled a new song named Remind You, bringing us a rampant dose of their summer lush, buoyant bounding electro/synthpop while addressing the insecurities which can often affect someone on one side of a relationship. FRENSHIP’s debut album will also feature an appearance by Bastille. Their Vacation Tour will kick off on May 18th right here in San Francisco at the Mezzanine before the coast to coast tour wraps up in San Diego on June 15th. Pre-order FRENSHIP’s debut album, here, and visit their website for tour info, here.

LA-based duo FRENSHIP team up with New York indie act Yoke Lore on the airy, horn-laced exuberance of ‘Wanted A Name,’ inspired by FRENSHIP’s return to the quiet of home after experiencing such exhilarating highs during their very first headline tour and wanting to recapture that feeling, complete with the kind of infectious hooks tailor-made for a massive arena setting.

FRENSHIP’s Brett Hite says about the track via press release:

‘We love the interaction with our fans when we’re on the road,” says Hite, “The love and appreciation is flowing but, when the tour is over, it’s easy to wonder if that feeling will ever happen again. It can be an isolating feeling trying to figure out how to turn those amazing moments into something that will last.’

While James Sunderland adds:

‘Our lives revolve around writing, touring and perfecting every element of what you see and hear from us, which fuels us and brings us happiness. In the midst of focusing on that, we don’t want to lose sight of what made us start making music in the first place. This song is an attempt to regain that original feeling of pure excitement of sharing our music with the world.’

Yoke Lore (AKA multi-instrumentalist, dancer, and visual artist Adrian Galvin) also says about his collaborators:

‘I did the longest tour of my career this year with Brett and James from FRENSHIP [..] I learned a lot about pacing and patience. As we make the road our lives and we make our instincts our livelihoods, we tend to sacrifice certain romances to which we were initially drawn. This song is about how we keep that spark of awe alive within each note we sing, how to sustain the longing after we have achieved the goal. How to keep that feeling connected to the art itself and to the part of ourselves that allows us to be part of such magic making.’

FRENSHIP are also about to release their debut album, following on from the stellar success of their 2016 single ‘Capsize,’ while Yoke Lore has performed at a number of festivals over the past year or so, including The Great Escape in the UK, Toronto’s Field Trip and the Billboard Hot 100 in New York.

- Bianca B.

Eric Nam in Concert: St. Paul, Minnesota

Pre-Concert

Both my friend LisNuna and I were thrilled to see Eric Nam touring and it was even better to see that he was coming somewhere remotely close to us. LisNuna and I are from Winnipeg, Manitoba which if you don’t know is right smack dab in the middle of Canada. Which ultimately means we don’t get a lot of action on the Kpop front… if any at all! (LisaNuna: Yeah, like absolutely zero lol) In most cases the closest stops are either Chicago or Toronto which both require some time off as well as plane ticket, and hotel. This time however, we found that Eric Nam was playing at a theatre in St. Paul which was only a 6 hours drive away! (Some might think this is far but if you have the right playlist, good company and some great podcasts the time flies!) When planning this trip my fiancé ended up jumping on board as we love shopping (and eating) in Minneapolis. I managed to encourage him to join since he’s a Korean-Canadian and I thought that he would find it worthwhile to support an Asian North American. To give you some context my fiancé isn’t exactly into Kpop but outside of the genre we share similar music taste so I thought this wasn’t far from what he liked.

We kicked off our trip in Minneapolis the first night with K-BBQ at Hoban (This is pretty much why my fiancé and I love coming back so much). (If you’re in or around Minneapolis be sure to check it out! https://hobankoreanbbq.com/ ) The next day was filled with shopping before we arrived at the Palace Theatre -- we were pleasantly surprised by the large line-up. LisNuna: The general admission tickets were for the floor and standing only. So if you wanted anywhere close to the stage you would have had to be there early. Checking out some of the IG posts after the show, I really admire those fans that stood in line right from early morning to get in a good position. Dedication, thy name is NamNation.

During the Concert

Even though we were on the balcony the seats were great, far more intimate than other Kpop concerts we’ve been to due to the venue. It was fun to watch people in the first half, the crowd was in general young but it was nice to see our section had a mix of ages and genders. LisNuna: Exactly! It was pretty diverse. Todoke speculated before the show that the one combo we probably wouldn’t see would be a group of male fans coming by themselves. But low and behold, in our section alone I saw 2 different groups of guys attending together. More bro-night-out’s should include kpop. The world would be a happier place, for real.

The most amusing part was a Dad who came with his Daughter that sat behind us. He was enthusiastic about the experience and was quick to talk with others about what concerts they’ve been to and which his Daughter is planning to see next. The whole time I’m sure the poor girl was hoping her Dad would just shut up, but it was incredibly endearing! The opening act was Frenship who I had actually listened to before and they didn’t disappoint. They did some stripped down songs and were easy to please the crowd. I think if people weren’t aware of them before their performance they certainly were now! Check out my favourite song by them Capsize:

By the time Eric Nam came out the crowd was ready and going wild. It was a different feeling from the other concerts I’ve been to since it wasn’t so much about the video screens and special effects but there was something more genuine and raw about it. Most of the show Eric was either on stage performing with just his mic or a handful of backup dancers and to keep a crowd thoroughly entertained with just that is a feat in my books!

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A post shared by Confessions of a Kpop Fan (@kpf_confession) on Mar 6, 2020 at 2:45pm PST

I think this concert had a little something for everyone, even the people who were there for others like significant others and parents. (Eric even made a crack at the fact he knew there were people like this in the audience). If anything I would say Eric is a showman from his singing, to his dancing and of course his banter. I know by the time the concert was through my fiancé had turned a fan and was surprised at how much he enjoyed it. (Even the Dad behind us was cheering and exclaiming how good he was throughout the night!)

Eric sang almost every one of my favourite tracks (only a few oldies excluded) and it was amazing to hear him change it up a little bit proving how good he is live. LisNuna: Our throats were just gone by the end of the show lol. We pretty much sang every lyric to every song. There also may or may not have been an attempt at the “Can’t Help Myself” hola hand dance choreo. It warmed my heart when he thanked the crowd for making a difference by attending a concert like his. I truly hope attending shows like this do make a difference because artists like Eric Nam are so deserving of success in their home country as well as others. I think my two favourite songs of the night were Love Die Young (my favourite from his most recent album) and Don’t Call Me which was such a bop live. (Pretty sure it’s also my fiancé’s new favourite song).

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A post shared by Confessions of a Kpop Fan (@kpf_confession) on Mar 6, 2020 at 2:47pm PST

Post Concert

The next day the three of us were off back home and it put a smile on our faces when my Fiancé asked us to listen to Eric Nam on the way home. He couldn’t stop talking about how impressed he was and that it was one of the best concerts he’d seen. That in itself felt like a win to me and hopefully he’ll consider going to another Kpop concert with me in the future! (LisNuna: We’re officially Kpop missionaries!) If Eric Nam ever returns I know I’ll be more than willing to see him again and I hope his fan base grows so he can get even bigger venues (even though I adored the intimacy of this show). I think he’s only solidified bigger fans in Lisa and I! (LisNuna: 100% agreed!) Has anyone else checked out his tour? Tell me about it below!

Chapter 2 - Wanna Stay A While? "Can you believe that just happened?!" You nearly shout as you start shaking Shealan by the arm. "Oh my God. Tyler Joseph is-" she can't finish her sentence before she's interrupted. "Ladies, show time. You gotta go." The security guard says as he ushers you out of Tyler's dressing room. You grab Shea's hand and nearly skip off to your spot in front of the stage. You notice Shea's eyes never leave Tyler, and yours doesn't leave Josh. You were both completely infatuated by them and their seriousness on stage. You and Shea are rocking out to your favorite band, Twenty One Pilots. You could see Blurryface and Spooky Jim rocking out on stage, but towards the end of the set, they became more real. More like the guys you had just talked to backstage. They spoke personally about their anxieties and struggles, and never fail to make you feel like you're not the only one. "Stay alive, for me." Tyler mumbles, continuing the rest of the concert. After about two hours, the concert ends and the boys bow and walk off stage. You and Shea have probably cried 6 times, knowing that not only did you just attend the concert of your life, but you practically had a date with the men you fantasize about at night. After everyone is cleared out, you make your way backstage. You’re scared out of your mind because regardless of who they are, it’s a little shady that they wanted to see you after the show. So, you grab onto Shealan’s hand, and make your way through the dark halls that seem to stretch for miles. “Shea, this is incredible. Thanks for always supporting these spontaneous choices like this.” Her smile is warm and genuine, almost as if she carries sunshine wherever she went. Walking into the room where you first met the boys, their cologne remains in the air. Even after two hours, you just want to see Josh again. “Don’t be so tense, D. They smell fear.” Shea giggles at her own joke, as she feels an arm wrap around her waist. She panics and looks at you, but she trusts the smile on your face. “I mean, you don’t have to be scared of me.” Tyler says so gently, saying it in a tone where the words wrapped around your waist and hugged you. If Shealan could, she’d melt into a puddle at the sight of Tyler Joseph’s arm wrapped around her waist, as if he’s known her for years. “Long time, no see.” You hear in the most familiar voice, causing your knees to go weak and your skin to warm. You turn around to follow the voice, as you see the yellow haired man with mocha squinty eyes. You smile at him, trying to stay cool. He smiles back as he walks towards you. You tense up, not knowing what to expect from him. He holds out his hand for you to take. You stretch out your hand, trying to hide the fact that you’re shaking. His gentle smile sends a rush of comfort over you, realizing that he’s human too. “So how about that tour?” He laughs as he begins to lead you out the door. Tyler grabs Shea’s hand rather boldly and they follow along. Josh goes before you to open the door for all three of you. He’s sweet like that. He bites at Tyler as he walks by, only to tease him, causing you girls to die a little inside. “Welcome to our frenship.” Tyler says as he giggles in the most innocent way possible, gently placing a hand on Shealan’s lower back. You watch Tyler make the move while you’re screeching inside for your best friend. There was nothing in this world that either of you wanted more than this moment, and for that, you could never be any happier for her. They show you around the tour bus, showing you the kitchen, their sick coffee bar, an endless supply of Reese’s Puffs, their bunks, the bathroom, and finally the back bedroom that’s sectioned off. “This is my favorite part of the entire bus.” Tyler mumbles almost under his breath. “Oh, well it’d be mine too. I mean, only because I can sleep without hearing other people sleep. That’s weird. Oh Geez.” Shea says, stumbling over her own words. “I can’t comprehend how one person can be so cute.” Tyler says, smiling in the sweetest way at Shealan. “Hey, let’s just go back to Ty's place and hang out for a while. If you guys are down. No pressure.” Josh laughs awkwardly at the words he just spoke. “How do I know you’re not going to hurt us?” You say in a sassy way. “Well, I consider us to be nice dudes. But it’s totally up to you.” Josh smiles. “Come on, Shea. It will be fun.” Tyler says so needy. “D, if they were going to hurt us, they would’ve done it by now. It will be okay.” She smiles, giving you the confidence you need to say yes. “Okay. Fine.” Fighting off your smile, Josh gently runs his fingers across your stomach, making you almost melt into the floor. “Yes!” Both of the boys say at the same time. “Everybody to the Josh-mobile!” You all four bust out laughing, because everyone knew he was referring to Drake and Josh. This only made you fall even harder for him. You all get into Josh’s car, practically silent the entire way there with the occasional "oh you need to go here" and "you need to eat there" suggestions. Josh and Tyler are up front, you and Shealan are in the back. You and Shea exchange some puzzled looks, wondering why they were so silent. Maybe they were thinking of how to get away with our murders… you almost giggle at the thought. It seems impossible for these two kind boys to be the kind to hurt you. You arrive, nervous as hell. Shea gives you this look, causing you to read her mind, knowing she’s thinking that you look straight up retarded. Josh comes around and opens the door for you. Tyler does the same for Shea. You follow them to the door and once again, Josh holds the door open for you, yet again. Tyler smiles at Shea as he glides his hand across the small of her back, insinuating that she follow him to the couch. You follow Shea as Josh grabs you guys a few drinks. “Sorry ladies. We’re simple around here. No martinis or anything cute like that.” Josh giggles lightly as he hands you all a beer. You sit down on the couch in front of Tyler and Shea, and Josh sits beside of you as close as he can. Tyler has his hand on Shea’s thigh, and you know without a doubt she’s screaming inside. But so are you. After a few beers are down, Tyler gets the idea to play board games. Minutes turn to hours, and the hours creep into the morning. Tyler and Shealan are passed out, snuggled up on the couch with one of Ty’s arms around her waist, his hand propped on her hip. “I haven’t seen Tyler this happy in a while.” Josh says in a content sort of way. “I hope she’s somebody for him. He needs that.” He smiles at you, and you can’t help but smile back at him. You glance down at your phone, seeing that you have a message from Paul. Received 2:34 a.m. Hey. I can't sleep. I hope you're having a great time in Ohio. I can't wait for you to come back home though. Goodnight, darling! You try to hide that your blushing, but Josh notices. "Your boyfriend won't mind you being here, will he?" He asks, backing away from you. "Oh.. uh... I don't have a boyfriend." You chuckle awkwardly as you run your fingers through your hair, pushing it out of your face. "Oh. Good!" He smiles innocently, letting himself go. You smile back at him, trying to think of how Paul would've felt if he knew you'd said that. You weren't together, but then again, he was waiting on you back in Tennessee. You felt horrible, but there's something about Josh that you loved. Something that you've never felt before. Sent 2:36 a.m. Goodnight. See you soon. :) Your eyelids are getting so heavy, so are Josh’s. You lean against the arm of the couch and get comfy because you know you can’t make it back to your room. “Will you lay with me?" Josh giggles. You can’t help but to give in to his persuading words along with his sparkling eyes. After a few strange stutters, you finally get the words out. "Yeah. Totally." You smile. He's already in a comfortable position, nearly laying down completely on the long couch. You crawl up next to him, pressing your body into his in order to fit. It's like you were molded out for him. You fit with him perfectly. He pulls the blanket off of the back of the couch over you, making sure you weren't cold. He places his arm across your stomach, drawing patterns on your skin. His touch sends you off into a deeper trance, and quickly making you fall asleep. Without a doubt, you knew this wouldn’t be the last night like this.

The Sight of a Wreckage

You and Shea are rocking out to your favorite band, Twenty One Pilots. You'd just had an encounter that will change both of your lives. You could see Blurryface and Spooky Jim rocking out on stage, but towards the end of the set, they became more real. More like the guys you had just talked to backstage. The concert ends, and the boys bow and walk off stage. You and Shea have probably cried 6 times, knowing that not only did you just attend the concert of your life, but you practically had a date with the men you fantasize about at night. After everyone is cleared out, you make your way backstage. You're scared out of your mind because regardless of who they are, it's a little shady that they wanted to see you after the show. So, you grab onto Shealan's hand, and make your way through the dark halls that seem to stretch for miles. "Shea, this is incredible. Thanks for always supporting these spontaneous choices like this." Her smile is warm and genuine, almost as if she carries sunshine wherever she went. Walking into the room where you first met the boys, their cologne remains in the air. Even after two hours, you just want to see Josh again. "Don't be so tense, D. They smell fear." Shea giggles at her own joke, as she feels an arm wrap around her waist. She panics and looks at you, but she trusts the smile on your face. "I mean, you don't have to be scared of me." Tyler says so gently, saying it in a tone where the words wrapped around your waist and hugged you. If Shealan could, she'd melt into a puddle at the sight of Tyler Joseph's arm wrapped around her waist, as if he's known her for years. "Long time, no see." You hear in the most familiar voice, causing your knees to go weak and your skin to warm. You turn around to follow the voice, as you see the yellow haired man with mocha squinty eyes. You smile at him, trying to stay cool. He smiles back as he walks towards you. You tense up, not knowing what to expect from him. He holds out his hand for you to take. You stretch out your hand, trying to hide the fact that you're shaking. His gentle smile sends a rush of comfort over you, realizing that he's human too. "So how about that tour?" He laughs as he begins to lead you out the door. Tyler grabs Shea's hand rather boldly and they follow along. Josh goes before you to open the door for all three of you. He's sweet like that. He bites at Tyler as he walks by, only to tease him, causing you girls to die a little inside. "Welcome to our frenship." Tyler says as he giggles in the most innocent way possible, gently placing a hand on Shealan's lower back. You watch Tyler make the move while you're screeching inside for your best friend. There was nothing in this world that either of you wanted more than this moment, and for that, you could never be any happier for her. They show you around the tour bus, showing you the kitchen, their sick coffee bar, an endless supply of Reese's Puffs, their bunks, the bathroom, and finally the back bedroom that's sectioned off. "This is my favorite part of the entire bus." Tyler mumbles almost under his breath. "Oh, well it'd be mine too. I mean, only because I can sleep without hearing other people sleep. That's weird. Oh Geez." Shea says, stumbling over her own words. "I can't comprehend how one person can be so hecking cute." Tyler says, smiling in the sweetest way at Shealan. "Hey, let's just go back to mine and Ty's apartment and hang out for a while. If you guys are down. No pressure." Josh laughs awkwardly at the words he just spoke. "How do I know you're not going to hurt us?" You say in a sassy way. "Well, I consider us to be nice dudes. But it's totally up to you." Josh smiles. "Come on, Shea. It will be fun." Tyler says so needy. "D, if they were going to hurt us, they would've done it by now. It will be okay." She smiles, giving you the confidence you need to say yes. "Okay. Fine." Fighting off your smile, Josh gently runs his fingers across your stomach, making you almost melt into the floor. "Yes!" Both of the boys say at the same time. "Everybody to the Josh-mobile!" You all four bust out laughing, because everyone knew he was referring to Drake and Josh. This only made you fall even harder for him. You all get into Josh's car, practically silent the entire way there. Josh and Tyler are up front, you and Shealan are in the back. You and Shea exchange some puzzled looks, wondering why they were so silent. Maybe they were thinking of how to get away with our murders... you almost giggle at the thought. It seems impossible for these two kind boys to be the kind to hurt you. You arrive, nervous as hell. Shea gives you this look, causing you to read her mind, knowing she's thinking that you look straight up retarded. You follow them to the door and once again, Josh holds the door open for you. Tyler smiles at Shea as he glides his hand across the small of her back, insinuating that she follow him to the couch. You follow Shea as Josh grabs you guys a few drinks. "Sorry ladies. We're simple around here. No martinis or anything cute like that." Josh giggles lightly as he hands you all a beer. You sit down on the couch in front of Tyler and Shea, and Josh sits beside of you as close as he can. Tyler has his hand on Shea's thigh, and you know without a doubt she's screaming inside. But so are you. After a few beers are down, Tyler gets the idea to play board games. Minutes turn to hours, and the hours creep into the morning. Tyler and Shealan are passed out, snuggled up on the couch with one of Ty's arms around her waist, his hand propped on her hip. "I haven't seen Tyler this happy in a while." Josh says in a content sort of way. "I hope she's somebody for him. He needs that." He smiles at you, and you can't help but smile back at him. Your eyelids are getting so heavy, so are Josh's. You lean against the arm of the couch because you know you can't make it back to your room. "You can lay on my lap, ya know. It won't bother me. I promise." Josh giggles. You can't help but to give in to his persuading words along with his sparkling eyes. Without a doubt, you knew this wouldn't be the last night like this.

Omg yes. Tour diaries would be lit. I think interviews and all are not enough to sustain us lol I need more interaction from my girls. I feel like Frenship is so underrated. They have such a small following but the songs are good. I fell in love with capsize first then 1000 nights and knives

speaking of interviews, i remembered the girls haven’t really had one yet this year. they should soon.

-A

Tour Posters for FRENSHIP

A tour poster for the band Frenship. I created the background by using ink to create a pattern and mono printing onto the sheet of paper. I then created the drawing of the girl and the typography on photoshop, printing them out onto a screen print and then screen printing onto the pre-done mono prints.  

Platinum-selling duo FRENSHIP is back with a new single, and they’ve brought along Yoke Lore on Wanted A Name, too! That’s right, two acts we’ve been championing with much gusto on IHM these last several years now appear together on one exultant new anthem off of FRENSHIP’s forthcoming 2019 album. Wanted A Name, which is out now via Counter Records, is a rousing, soaring combination of Yoke Lore’s windswept alt pop and FRENSHIP’s ever infectious electro-draped pop. The song muses on whether the elusive feelings of love, acceptance, and validation can ever be recaptured. 

"We love the interaction with our fans when we're on the road," says FRENSHIP’s Brett Hite, "The love and appreciation is flowing but, when the tour is over, it's easy to wonder if that feeling will ever happen again. It can be an isolating feeling trying to figure out how to turn those amazing moments into something that will last."  Adds James Sunderland: "Our lives revolve around writing, touring and perfecting every element of what you see and hear from us, which fuels us and brings us happiness. In the midst of focusing on that, we don't want to lose sight of what made us start making music in the first place. This song is an attempt to regain that original feeling of pure excitement of sharing our music with the world." Snag the new single, here.

OTW Staff Picks: Our Favorite Songs of 2018 (So Far)

Throughout all of 2018’s faults, one thing remained true. Good music prevailed through all the murk and dejection of the year. After all, what is music’s purpose beyond providing a moment of escape, a respite from the world around us? It’s for this reason that we here at Ones To Watch wanted to share with you the songs that have affected us the most this year (so far). And in doing so we hope that you can find a moment of musical respite, as well as a new musical discovery. Here is to all the amazing music that 2018 has brought with it so far. 

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Still Woozy & ODIE – “Lucy”

When I think of 2018 in music, the emergence of “anti-pop” and continued growth of the urban sphere are two trends that immediately come to mind. This song not only combines the two, with Still Woozy’s groovy cuts and ODIE’s worldly rhymes, but it also does so in the most sonically pleasant, feel-good manner. It’s simply impossible not to bob your head and sing along to “Lucy” – highly recommended keeping this one high on the summer road trips, barbeques, and beach party playlists.  

-Yasmin Damoui (Content Editor, Ones To Watch)

Turnstile - "Moon"

Since I'm not quite sure I could pick my "favorite" song of 2018, because there are about 30 different songs I could pick here, I went ahead and chose a song I have probably listened to the most. Turnstile's "Moon" is perfect in so many ways. It's fast but not too fast. Heavy but not too over the top. It's catchy and, well, that might be it. The song is so damn infectious it just crawls into your head until you're singing ''Now there's nothing I can dooooo, Man up on the moooooon" for hours on end. Plus the video is pretty rad too!  

-Jimmy Smith (Content Editor, The Noise)

BROCKHAMPTON – “Tonya”

Following the recent removal of Ameer Vann after sexual misconduct allegations, a delayed album, and a canceled tour, the future of BROCKHAMPTON was looking uncertain, to say the least. The internet’s first boy band made a grand return with their late-night television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where they debuted “Tonya.” The somber track and captivating performance, featuring guest performances by serpentwithfeet, Ryan Beaty, and Jazmine Sullivan, signaled more than just an announcement of their forthcoming album, the best days of our lives. “Tonya” was a reaffirmation that through it all, BROCKHAMPTON remains one of the world’s most inventive and brilliant boy bands.

-Maxamillion Polo (Lead Writer, Ones To Watch)

Jorja Smith – “Lost & Found”

I’m old enough to call someone a generational talent and Jorja is just that, a throwback chanteuse with all the coaxing credentials of her predecessors. “Lost & Found” would hold up against any love-gone-delinquent song since the summer of ’79, and it’s an appropriate midyear benchmark for a year deep in songwriting excellence.

-David O’Connor (VP Artist Development, Live Nation)

Omar Apollo – “Erase”

Omar Apollo is getting ready to hit the spotlight. He’s a young multi-instrumentalist with a natural knack for soul and melody. In addition to his relatable lyrics on songs like “Erase", he’s going to be on everyone’s radar in a couple of months.

-Malcolm Gray (Social Media Manager, Live Nation; Writer, Ones To Watch)

Jay Prince – “In The Morning”

I want to start off by saying that I initially chose “Big Bank” by YG but figured that it wasn’t very Ones to Watch of me, so I’m going to go with Jay Prince’s “In The Morning.” The East London MC really lets his versatility shine on this groovy summer track, and I can’t help but sway my shoulders side to side and activate my trap arms whenever the beat kicks in. Everything just blends perfectly with Prince’s rapping and infectiously catchy hook over the afrobeat-inspired production. Ah, I can picture the beaches and pool parties. I can already taste the Modelo! OOOH WHEE!

-Green Lee (Social Media Coordinator, Ones To Watch)

Cloves – “Wasted Time”

Old habits die hard–and putting down the proverbial bottle is easier said than done, whatever that bottle is for each of us. “Wasted Time” is a poignant look at the pain of going back to a bad habit again and again. The rawness of her voice and stripped-down production mirror the sheer honesty of the song and her simple, unaffected lyrics. Feels.

-Alexa Schoenfeld (Junior Booker, Live Nation)

Mallrat – “Groceries”

There is an innate and profound simplicity in Mallrat’s “Groceries.” The melody, which sways between a delicate sense of ease and full-out dance-inducing jam, embodies the overarching feeling of effortless joy the song gives off. As the Brisbane artist sings about such seemingly modest things as grabbing groceries, spending time together, being in love, ensuing heartbreak, it’s hard not feel a sense of universality to it all. It’s a humbling and beautiful track, perfect for the summer.

-Jenna Singer (Artist Development Coordinator, Live Nation)

Rainbow Kitten Surprise – “Painkillers”

How To: Friend, Love, Freefall, the third and most recent album from indie rock outfit Rainbow Kitten Surprise, is occupied with an undeniable spirit and boldness, largely thanks to its impressive lyricism and genre-defying approach. While singles “Fever Pitch” and “Holy War” are terrific displays of that declaration, the true highlight comes in the form of the track, “Painkillers.” While melancholy and disheartenment resonate within this mellow tempo driven effort, it’s not merely a straightforward downer by any means. Frontman Sam Melo coos with an inviting and favorable gentleness throughout the course of the song. Moreover, the stunning sonic configuration and poignant yet browbeaten lyrics really stir the soul, no matter what state one may be in.

-Sean Kayden (Writer, Ones To Watch)

FRENSHIP – “Mi Amore”

Eighties pop meets seventies funk in FRENSHIP’s “MI Amore,” a bitingly honest homage to pursuing a dream in a cutthroat industry. A deliciously groovy bass line underscores the electronic fuzz and vibrant synth as the electropop duo sing, “Don’t come between mi amore,” for a sound that is altogether irresistible. The positively sizzling chorus is preceded by a flash of bitterness with the lyrics, “There’s a high price to pay for fame / Put the shame on you for your hollow ways.” This unyielding emotional honesty paired with refreshing sonic creativity is exactly what FRENSHIP does best, and why “MI Amore” deserves a spot on your summer playlist.

-Dana Jacobs (Writer, Ones To Watch)

The Night Game - “American Nights” 

My favorite song of the year so far is "American Nights" by The Night Game. I have a major soft spot for things that sound like ‘80s classic rock and The Eagles, plus Martin Johnson's song structures could not be more perfect. I can't wait for his forthcoming album, which comes out in September. "American Nights" is super reminiscent of "Born in the USA." It sounds magical, but the lyrics are a contrast to the actual struggles of American life, which makes it super relevant lyrically.

-Angie Piccirillo (Writer, Ones To Watch)

Chloe x Halle - “Everywhere”

Chloe x Halle are goddesses with their new album The Kids Are Alright. "Everywhere," a clear standout on the album, shows what the duo is capable of when they’re completely unrestrained. It is an anthem for boss ass bitches who work hard and do not let the haters get them down. The track is an excellent showcase of Chloe’s knack for production and demonstrates their versatility for a wide range of musical styles. Chloe X Halle proves that they’re more just their impressively gorgeous vocal harmonies."

-Jordan Grace (Writer, Ones To Watch)

What So Not – “Be Ok Again”

My favorite song from this year so far is probably What So Not’s “Be Ok Again.” Being one of my favorite producers, it’s really hard for me to choose a favorite song, but I loved the entire album that this song came from–Not All The Beautiful Things. I had seen him shortly before this album came out and had the chance to see a lot of the new music live, including this song. After hearing it live, it will always have a special place in my heart.

-Eden Kraus (Writer, Ones To Watch)

Joy Oladokun – “Sober”

My favorite song of the year, thus far, would have to be Joy Oladokun’s “Sober.” Ever since its release, I have not been able to get this brilliant gospel-soul infused tune out of my head. This track has everything I look for in a song–an infectious melody, relatable lyrics, and a unique lead vocalist. “Sober” marks the first release for Oladokun since 2016, and it is well worth the wait. The song is a soulful anthem for anyone who has gone through an addiction-fueled, unhealthy relationship and came out the other end with a clearer head. The repeated line, “Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder / I see it clearly now, I only fell for you ‘cause I was young, dumb and broken” is overwhelmingly real, and perfectly expresses the overall sentiment of the song. The lyrics and music are both sanguine in nature, reflecting the hope and revelations that come with time and personal growth. The musical elements of the song in combination with Oldaokun’s enticing sound makes “Sober” an instant add to any 2018 playlist.

-Jessica Thomas (Writer, Ones To Watch)