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Simply put, "Beautiful Music" is the ultimate electronic pop track. This track has a entrancing club vibe to it - it reminds one of a club Britney or Madonna track. The story behind the track revolves around Nieri reaching his limits after a long and stressful week as he describes it in the opening lines of the track. Wanting to let go of his stress, he craves going to the club, listen to "Beautiful Music" and just "dance, dance..." and (you guessed it) "dance"! It is such a vibe and let's be honest, we can all relate to this because we have all reached this point in our life one time or another. Music is a therapeutic and healthy release. The Milan raised artist wrote the song to remind himself that music will always be there for him. Although Nieri is a pop artist, "Beautiful Music" is a electronic pop track which he decorated with his own touch. The repetitive beat, deep bass, progression and (of course) an epic drop. His smooth vocals adds a "sexy and sticky" vibe, making me recall Madonna's tracks "Sorry" & "Hung Up". What I did notice, however, was that this song does have a reflective tone to it as the lyrics "but what if life is a simulation?" suggests. And it made me think - what if there is more truth behind this that we'd like to admit to ourselves? I like that the track is written on a deeper level, rounding the track off nicely towards the end. Apart from the music, I'm really impressed by the effort LA based Nieri put into his cover art, the moving artwork on his YouTube channel (otherwise known as a visualizer (which is very hot right now) and his website (this is so important actually). It is clear that he takes himself seriously, and rightfully so. I encourage our readers to engage with Nieri, because he is definitely an artist you need to keep on your radar. (Btw a little birdy told me that there is a EP scheduled to release later this year). Hard work, quality and effort will always be rewarded - congratulations on this banger of a track Nieri! Keep up the great work! Written By Nicholas Joubert FOLLOW NIERI:

This chill love song is the epitome of what a love song dedication should be. Who of us wouldn't want to experience a love like this? The lead male vocals has a low, relaxed vibe to it throughout the track. tadashi is so focused on his love interest in the song, that he cannot see himself being with someone else as the lyrics "I don't know who could replace you", proves. As the song progresses, he declares he won't lie to "you" or that he cannot disguise the way he feels about her. "only you" has such a deep emotional connection to it and it really is a vibe. This is when you see quality music being written - writing from personal experiences. The song starts off with an acoustic guitar intro, with a deep base dropping in the first verse. He explains that "only you" is dedicated to his girlfriend, which gives it a personal vibe to it. I couldn't help but wonder, how did she react when the track released on Valentines Day 2022? Or maybe she was involved in the track from the start? I noticed a female vocal foley and wonder if this is his girlfriend's vocals? If it is, it is brilliant because it would give the song a personal twist. "only you" is tadashi's 5th single he has released. He is off to a great start seeing that the newcomer is releasing new music often. If this is the close and personal music he releases, the we at Pop Passion Blog are excited to see what other music he has in store, as he progresses in his journey. Well done tadashi! Written By Nicholas Joubert FOLLOW TADASHI:

Q: Congratulations on your new single “What Do We Do Without Love”! Can you tell us what this song is about? Antonio: I wrote this song back in 2017, a time in my life where so much was going wrong with homelessness, money problems, sick parent, and a whole lot of other things that made 2017-2019 HELL(All Caps). This song represents one of the the things that kept me going, "Love". The love from my partner, my mom(god rest her soul), and the love of God overall. Yes love can be up, and down but if it's strong, genuine, and keeps your heart a glow then it can make us happy as it did me. That's why "what do we do without love" is so important because it's the symbol of my life, and the joy we I want to spread to all people across the whole world. Q: When did you know you wanted to be an artist? Antonio: I've always known that I wanted to be an entertainer because it's always been in me from a child up. Singing in church, school, college, and different ensembles, and musical theater halls all over. I've always been an artist. When I realized at a young age that when I went to sleep, and woke up with music on my mind I knew it was all I wanted to do with my life. Q: Who would you pick for your dream collaboration? Antonio: There's so many amazing artist out there now, and in the past that paved the way for me to do what I love freely, and openly. But if I had to pick only one it would have to be Adele because I believe that our heartfelt ways of delivering our craft would render one of the most powerful ballads to ever hit the world stage. Q: What do you like to do when you're not doing music? Antonio: I like to write poetry. But in real life I like to to binge watch my favorite shows, workout, laugh, and enjoy life by the water, the park or even just away to read a good book or relax at the spa. Q: If you could pick any place in the world to perform, where would you pick and why? Antonio: The Royal Albert Hall in London; because it's is a a thing of beauty in architecture, location, and history dating back to 1871 opened by her highness Queen Victoria. It's just a place that many artists of the past, and present have performed as well as given their hearts to the world. It's a place I'd like to also leave my legacy. Q: What’s the next step in your musical journey? We can’t wait to hear more! Antonio: My next step is to write a hit album that will be filled with songs that will motivate, uplift, and encourage as well as make people happy with who they are. Also, I want to be able to make this new single reach the Grammys, and possibly the world starting with a 1 night only intimate event presenting Antonio Jean(The Takeover hint hint.......) I hope that I myself can be a positive example to all people, and I hope that you all have enjoyed this snippet into the life of me. Thank you so much for this opportunity to share a bit of who I am. Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW ANTONIO:

In ‘Where I Was Before’, Natalie Gish takes you through the devastation she felt when a knee injury took her out of a dance competition season. “It feels like forever; I don’t wanna wait, I’m gonna go insane.” When unexpected events occur, it can feel like you’re back at square one. Clawing your way out of it is like being trapped in an inescapable vortex. Don’t be so hard on yourself! Recovery takes time. Whatever you're dealing with, remember that you’ve gotten through everything the past already tried to assault you with. You’ll get through this too! “I’ve been light as a feather at times and stumbled like an elephant.” Even on our best days, the weight of present circumstances can change in an instant. A vulnerable narrative expresses a very relatable doubt about getting back into pristine condition. There’s a passionate warmth in Natalie’s goddess-quality voice that’s so satisfying to the ears. The pureness of her emotions is flawlessly expressed through a full-bodied, soulful performance. A resonant R&B ambiance provides a simple, yet brilliant backdrop for this heartfelt anthem! Kansas native Natalie Gish has always been passionate about music. From a young age, she demonstrated talent as a competitive dancer, a musical performer and an avid singer. After attending the Launch Showcase in Chicago in 2019, she was given the opportunity to start developing her skills as a singer/songwriter. Now a Commercial Songwriting major at Middle Tennessee State University (aka, “The Grammy Factory”), she’s working on establishing herself in the music industry. Her influences include Carrie Underwood, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Eilish. ‘Where I Was Before’ is part of Natalie’s self-titled debut EP. Stay tuned because this songbird's got more music in the works! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW NATALIE:

Ladies! Are you tired of men stepping on your business and dictating your place in society? Define your own standards with ‘Good Girl’ by Alexa Villa. People LOVE to shove boxes down people’s throats and explain what’s “good” for you. Why allow society to determine how to "be feminine?" Take the reins of your figurative horse and bust those unjust barricades down! Affirming your own boundaries makes it impossible for others to claim that you broke the norm. You’re undeniably more worthy of deciding who you are than the men in charge ever will be! Villa valiantly leads the crusade for the empowerment of women. “Makes you feel big to belittle a woman; use my voice I make demands, do it better than he can.” The blend of unapologetic callouts and free-spirited electric guitar generates a juggernaut of power. Her sensuous, rockstar vocals are a gut punch to the stomach for anyone who would stand against her. With a ferocious battle cry in the last chorus, Villa makes it clear that if you dare to oppose her, you’ll certainly meet your demise. The Los-Angeles based pop-rock artist is an extraordinary force in the music industry. She’s opened for acts like Drake Bell, and Ryan Cabrera. She takes influence from artists like Miley Cyrus, 5SOS, and Alanis Morissette. She encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and be authentically imperfect. She also shines in the world of fashion, working with brands to support her initiatives. In ‘Good Girl’, she reminds us to celebrate our uniqueness without hinderance. You'll be sure to find more gems from her creative toolbox in her new EP, which will be dropping in the near future! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW ALEXA:

Imagine this...You're in a night club and the DJ plays the ultimate summer EDM track. You can't get enough of the vibe. Dying of heat and craving a thirst quenching drink (anything cool that will contribute to your buzz). Sweaty strangers grinding together adds to the vibe of this summer evening party. You just can't get yourself to leave the dance floor because the FOMO is real. This is the imagine that races through my mind when I listen to this epic EDM collaboration between GT_Ofice, Britt Lari & Carneyval. This track sports the ultimate club vibe, but is also very suitable for your gym playlist. The fast beat, deep base and catchy chorus will make you go in overdrive, whether it be on the dance floor or in the weight section. "Ooh La La" has a cheerful, deep bass beat (as every great EDM track does). The decent progression adds to the suspense, it builds and then the drop cues your best dance moves (btw remind me why there is not a TikTok dance challenge to this song yet?). Considering the lyrics sung by vocalist Britt Lari, it reminds one of that friend in college who always partied at frat houses or sororities, never slept, nor attended any classes. The friend who always drags you along and who you will make memories with. Some people call it irresponsible, I call it legendary, just like this song. My advice? Blast this song through a proper set of headphones to appreciate this work of art. In conclusion, playing this track is a must at every party. It comes as no surprise that Miami-based producer GT_Office has performed at major NYC, Las Vegas and (of course) Miami nightclubs. Britt Lari has also been featured on various Spotify editorial playlists, hit music radio stations and is signed to Warner, Sony, NCS and Spinnin'. Although "Ooh La La" released in 2021, I cannot see why this entrancing track shouldn't be played this upcoming summer. This superstar collaboration will supercharge your mood, giving you the ultimate chills. Written By Nicholas Joubert FOLLOW GT_Ofice: FOLLOW Britt Lari:

From the get go, I was hooked on "Do It All Again" by Castells. The song starts off with an epic electric guitar intro, almost reminding me of a Paramore track. As soon as the verse starts, it features drums with vocals that will hook anyone who has a half decent ear for music. Apart from the excellent production, the lyrics are relatable to anyone who has been in a on-and-off-again relationship. The story behind this single is about a guy ,being in a reflective state, thinking about how he'd do things differently if they were to "make amends" and get back together. He is faced with the harsh reality that he is still very much in love with his ex (...ouch...), but if he "could be any wiser", would things be different this time around? Is this ever the case when you get back with your ex? Are things truly different the second (or third) time around? It is a thought provoking concept that I think most people, who has been in a serious relationship before, have contemplated about. I went into this Indie-rock quartet's background and saw their first music video was uploaded the 2nd of February 2018. Comparing their sound from "Do You Remember" to their latest release, I am impressed and pleased to say that "Do It All Again" is on a whole new level. In this track, there were various parts that hooked me, but what stood out was that it is evident that a lot of effort was put into making each part of the band feature, which is beautiful. Its an epic pop/rock track and as all seasoned musicians will agree, this track is why experience and practice is essential to your success in music. I am excited to see what success awaits Castells on their journey. Performing at sold out shows in venues such as Omeara, Moth Club and Camden Assembly; supporting bands like Luna Bay, Spinn, Youth Killed it and Only Sun since 2018. They also had their first headline show in February 2021 at The Grace, Islington. During their EP release in 2021, they picked up support from Abby McCarthy on BBC Introducing in Kent. This indie pop/rock track is what happens when dedication meets talent. Front man Connor Crooks, Robert Castelino (Guitar), Matt Chittenden (Bass) and Marc Smith (Drums) sounds like they are the dream team. After all this success, it comes as no surprise that the band have built up a loyal fanbase. Congratulations lads because you just won over another fan with this absolute banger of a track, "Do It All Again"! Written By Nicholas Joubert FOLLOW CASTELLS:

Q: Congratulations on the release of ‘Bad Girls’! What inspired you to write this song? Mina: I probably had a crush on a girl at the time and tend to be melodramatic. I think I asked myself, "What must it be like to be so in love with someone who is hurting you, that you can’t, even if you wanted to“? For more intricate details you’d have to ask my subconscious what it wanted to tell me. Q: Can you tell us a bit about your songwriting process? Mina: I was having dinner one night with my boyfriend and my roommate at the time in my little student home flat and after we had finished our food (and had some wine), I was drawn to my Ukulele and started alternating between the two chords that make up most of the song. It just kind of happened. Bad Girls really was a fun thing that came out of a fun evening with friends. Andy (the boyfriend) then got out a bass guitar and jammed along. I played around with the chords and lyrics and 'Bad Girls' is the result. Q: When did your love for music begin? Mina: Some of my earliest memories include being on a swing in kindergarten and inventing songs and singing. I don’t remember it beginning, it was always just there. Music is everywhere around us, even before we are born. I believe I was just really fond of being surrounded by music as much as possible. Q: Who are your biggest music influences? Mina: I grew up listening to a lot of Amy Winehouse, P!nk and Vaya Con Dios. I always liked strong women, who dared to move beyond societal and gender norms. Lola Marsh have definitely influenced my music and so has Joan as Policewoman. Sometimes it is how a song is structured or how a certain melody unfolds where I see the music I love, gently pushing mine forward. Q: If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, which would you pick and why? Mina: Oh that is a tough question! Maybe Run for Love by Joan as Policewoman, or Caught Out In The Rain by Beth Hart. Both make me feel my body and my existence in a way that (I believe) drugs never could. Q: What can we expect next from you? We’re so excited for more! Mina: My debut EP "Jaywalker“ comes out May 6th! Before that I have two more single releases coming on March 11th and April 8th! I also go on Tour in Germany with my band and can’t wait to play live again! Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW MINA:

“Nothing comes easy.” Isn’t it ironic that as kids, we couldn't wait to turn 18? Learning to drive, winning the lottery, and all the “perks” of adulthood were right in our fingertips. But nothing could prepare us for the mental and emotional hitting of rock bottom. Life throws its punches and blocking them can be like fighting a ghost. ‘Salt’ by Estella Dawn recognizes the lack of control we feel in those moments. It also acknowledges the compounding impact of the world on our well-being. Challenges and coping strategies will differ for each person, but we’re all just trying our best. That's what counts! The underlying analogy of wolves to piling stressors is an impressive depiction of various coping mechanisms. When our inner wolves are on the hunt, you can either blend in and lose yourself or run away and flee from your problems. That catch-22 is incredibly validating, and the rest of her lyrics do the same! A catchy beat is made even stronger by Estella’s fierce, agile vocals. A stripped-down bridge with piano and strings allows her to intimately express her pent-up frustrations. Relaying a passionate message with such raw emotion and charisma, this blooming queen of pop deserves an encore! The New Zealand born, U.S.-based pop artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist has a deep creative well that feeds her ambitious vision. Often writing about empowerment and confidence, her music has landed her on the media base Radio Top 40 chart and several major Spotify playlists. Her work has been compared to outstanding female pop icons like P!nk, Halsey and Sia. Her new single ‘Salt’ spearheads a full-length album due later this year. Her next single ‘Buzz Cut’ comes out in March so stay tuned for that! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW ESTELLA:

Q: Congrats on the release of ‘Cold Feet’! What is the story behind this song? Dom: Cold Feet has been a part of my live set for some time and one which people have been waiting for. It's a song that captures the emotions of nostalgia and romantic reflection. Cold Feet is one you can listen to whether you are trying to get over someone or have finally moved on. It’s got a great juxtaposition of being this upbeat, almost groovy song, but the lyrics are almost heart wrenching. I’m so happy it’s finally out! Q: What does your songwriting process look like? Dom: A lot of fun! I usually start with a guitar or piano and once something comes together, I start to hear the arrangement in my head. I then work on the production, structure and instrumentation at home. Once I’m happy with the demo I re-track the parts in the studio. Q: If you could play a show anywhere in the world, where would you pick and why? Dom: It would have to be Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Colorado, USA. It’s so cool! Q: Who would you say are your biggest music influences? Dom: Anything where the lyrics and melody work in harmony. Artists like John Mayer, Ben Howard, Mumford and Sons. Q: If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what do you think you’d be doing? Dom: I definitely would be in a creative profession, I’m an avid cook and started to train to be a chef before making music full time. Maybe a graphic designer or psychologist is something which has always interested me. Q: If you could talk to your younger self, what advice would you give them? Dom: I think part of life is learning from your mistakes and though at times that can be tough, I feel it builds character and creates a well-rounded person. For younger Dom, I say: never doubt what you love, believe in your talent and be true to yourself! Don’t let others discourage you from going after what you want. Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW DOM:

Villains are often misunderstood in their motives and aspirations. They blame someone else for their problems, but that’s a dangerous assumption. They often don’t realize the damage they inflict until it’s too late. ‘Karma’ by Cam M. speaks on the ramifications of manipulation. Our negative thoughts about others directly reflect how we view ourselves. “Was it better in Wonderland? Who’s the villain now?” It’s a message to consider the consequences of our actions before we start a wildfire. Starting rumors about someone or playing victim will come back to bite us later. A twisted Disney fairytale is brought into reality with the mysterious intro. “I wash your self-proclaimed validity down the drain...pour acid down their throats.” Cam’s sassy lyricism is delightfully dark and vivid, contributing to a deep-seated villainous energy. Her hypnotic vocals are so mesmerizing that you’re put in an inescapable trance. Deep, distorted harmonies are like shadowy figures in your mind. It’s as if our darker selves are singing along with us, revealing the true villain lurking underneath. Stunning vocal and instrument effects seal the deal on the creepy vibes. It’s hauntingly beautiful. Camille Merendail (Cam M.) is an indie/dark pop singer-songwriter who brings authenticity to her own thought process. A lifelong singer, she started gigging and songwriting at 13. She opened for the RISE music series at the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum, and she’s even performed as a guest artist at the Tour Music Fest in Rome! She draws influence from artists like Billie Eilish and Melanie Martinez to create dark, compelling melodies. ‘Karma’ is Cam’s first release of 2022. Stay tuned for more of her spectacular music! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW CAM:

Q: “Crying In A Church” is such a powerful song! What inspired you to write it? Jillian: This particular song came from a personal experience, as the title says, it is literally something that I did one night when I was really feeling down about my life and the things that were going on in it. I would go out by myself and visit the North End in Boston frequently, and on that main street, there is a church called St. Leonards, and I would go there to pray and meditate a lot during the night hours when there were no masses going on. The church is very beautiful and is surrounded by statues of saints that you can go up to and pray to. There was one night where I was completely alone in the church and I just broke down and cried to all of these saints and God and was just questioning my faith because there was so much pain and trauma going on in my life at that point. Then one day while I was sitting at my desk at work, I just started writing some lyrics to this experience, in literal terms, just thinking about that night and just started with the lyric, "I'm crying in a church right now", and it just flowed from there because it was such a real experience. Q: What first got you into music? Jillian: Since I was a baby there was always music playing in my house since my parents loved music. But I think I really got my love for music from my Nana, who recently passed away. She was a very talented pianist and played completely by ear since she was 2 years old. She would sing to me as a baby to get me to stop crying, especially the song "When You Wish Upon A Star" from the Disney movie Pinocchio. Then when I got older I started to learn piano by ear as well and would always want to sing everywhere I went. So I joined choirs in school and sang in church for many years at my parish. When I got to college I started writing songs and joined bands there and that really sent me head first into music as a career. But none of this would have been possible without my Nana as she passed her gifts down onto me, and I dedicate all of this to her. Q: What was studying at Berklee College of Music like for you? Jillian: Berklee was a surreal experience for sure. It almost feels like it was all a dream now. I got accepted there after I auditioned with one of my own songs, so it was thrilling to be able to go there knowing that my songs were "good enough" I suppose. I ended up majoring in Songwriting and got to study with some awesome professors. I met some great people there who helped me record my first EP, "Truly, Madly, Deeply" in the huge studios Berklee has, so that was a really fun experience. I also met my best friend and producer of this latest EP, Jayesh Prakash, while at Berklee, and he became one of the most important people in my life. He really understood what I was trying to communicate in this music and executed it perfectly and I will always be grateful to him. Q: If you could swap places with any artist in the world for a day, who would you pick and why? Jillian: I don't know if I would really want to swap places with another artist, because we are all our own unique selves and create our music differently. I really look up to a lot of artists like Kate Bush and Carly Simon, and would love to hang out with them and have a great conversation about music with them, since they are the artists I have connected and related to the most. Q: What are your favorite hobbies to do outside of music? Jillian: I played a lot of sports most of my life, and really enjoyed playing basketball especially. I love watching basketball and have a job where I am able to watch it in person all the time which is super enjoyable. I also like to swim and go on walks to clear my head. I am also an avid Disney World goer and am obsessed with Harry Potter. Slytherin House for life! Q: What can we expect next from you? We can’t wait to hear more! Jillian: I am actually planning on moving to Nashville soon which is really exciting and will be a huge step forward for me on my musical journey. I'm hoping to get to work on recording my debut album there and get to work with some really talented musicians. I have so much music in the vault that I am itching to record and Nashville is really the best place to do that for me. I'll keep you updated on all that! Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW JILLIAN: