Optimist is the debut LP by FINNEAS, released in October of 2021. The album is the culmination of a career of co-writing and producing for other artists. Now, he steps into the spotlight.

A parent’s occupation can influence a child’s plan. Therefore, when both parents are in the art industry, most likely the kid will follow in their footsteps.

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Exactly what happened to FINNEAS O’Connell. Due to her mother being an actress, he began scoring screen time on TV Shows (e.g., Modern Family, Glee) and starred in movies (e.g., Life Inside Out).

On the other hand, due to his father being a singer, the instrumentations intrigued him as well. Hence, at the young age of 12 (2010), he commenced writing and producing.

In 2014, he and three other musicians formed the band “The Slightlys.” That same year, they released their debut EP, including the single “Superhero.”

Despite having a band, he wasn’t always writing for himself. In a way, acting classes helped him portray fictionalized characters. Thus, he applied it to co-writing and producing for other musicians such as Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” (2015).

Once the single hit Soundcloud, everything changed, and the formula of teaming up with his sister only made sense. From there on, they released Billie’s debut EP “Don’t Smile at Me” (2017), and the smash LP, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019).

Afterward, he focused on his music. On October 4, 2019, he debuted his EP “Blood Harmony,” accompanied by four singles, including “I Lost A Friend.”

Optimist LP

Two years later, on October 15, 2021, his debut LP, Optimist, hit the web. Firstly, the album kicks off with the melancholic-tuned “A Concert Six Months From Now.”

However, “The Kids Are All Dying” and “Happy Now?” balance it with an uplifting beat and a catchy hook, respectively. Thirdly, “Love is Pain” and “Peaches Etude” give room to a beautiful piano playing in the background.

“Medieval” distinguishes itself from the previous tracks by drums being the protagonists instead of the piano. “What They’ll Say About Us” and “How It Ends” perfectly close a single-handedly written and produced record.

Nowadays, artists are either known as producers or singers. However, FINNEAS has broken the boundaries and is optimistic about conquering both lanes. That is, as a singer collaborator (e.g., Ashe), and as a producer (e.g., girl in red). His record label is OYOY. He is a Grammy Award Winner.

Naturally, siblings tend to pursue the older relative’s footsteps. So, once he chose to be a musician, his little sister followed suit.

Billie’s post premieres on July 30th, 2022. In the meantime, watch “Love is Pain” and stream FINNEAS’ “Optimist.”

1. “Naked” music video by Finneas. Directed by Sam Bennett (OYOY, Interscope, 2021). ↩︎
2. “Optimist” album by Finneas. Cover artwork by Luke Fenstemaker (OYOY, Interscope, 2021). ↩︎

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Ashlyn is the debut long-play (LP) of singer Ashe, released on 7 May 2021. After 3 EPs in a row, she is ready for a full-length where she opens up about love and death. Here, I present to you her story.

As kids, we tend to absorb our everyday surroundings. From mimicking what we watch on TV to unconsciously listening to the music playing in the background.

For Ashlyn Rae, her household consisted mostly of Bob Dylan and The Beatles. Like Olivia Rodrigo at a young age, she began with vocal lessons.

Connections are always key factors in the music industry because you never know where they can lead you. Especially a collaboration.

Therefore, Ashe commenced collaborating with an array of artists such as Louis the Child (music group), Whethan (DJ), and Demi Lovato (singer). Whether a band, DJ, or singer, she absorbed every technical aspect of it.

Thus, the collaborations between the above-mentioned artists prepared her for her debut EP, “The Rabbit Hole” (2018). Just a year later, she followed it by releasing the extended plays (EPs) “Moral of the Story: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2″.

Both EPs represented her potential as an artist. However, if she demonstrated her writing skills, FINNEAS showcased his production skills in both chapters.

Ashlyn

Two years later, on May 7, 2021, her debut LP, “Ashlyn,” hit the online platforms. First, “Till Forever Falls Apart” opens the record by lighting hope through love. Nevertheless, on the third track, she states that love is not enough.

On records, artists tend to become vulnerable and personal. On “Ryne’s Song,” she opens up about the death of her brother and emphasizes how there is no time for later.

Ultimately, on “Kansas” and “Moral of the Story,” the love theme comes back full circle as in the opening song.

Undoubtedly, we live in a streaming world, where a single can catapult a singer to fame. Yet, as one famous producer once mentioned, “Remember, anybody can get it, the hard part is keeping it.“

With that being said, I’m excited to see what Ashe and Olivia Rodrigo can bring on their sophomore albums!

Watch “Till Forever Falls Apart” and stream “Ashlyn” below.

1. “Till Forever Falls Apart” by Ashe featuring Finneas. Directed by Sam Bennett (Mom+Pop Music, 2021). ↩︎
2. “Ashlyn” album by Ashe. Cover artwork by Dana Trippe (Mom+Pop Music, 2021). ↩︎

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Sour is the debut album by Olivia Rodrigo. At just 18 years old, the teenager curates a record filled with an array of emotions. From happiness to sadness to jealousness. Which album’s blueprint does she follow?

By now, it is no surprise that acting and singing go together. Most artists have started with acting and later shifted to music. From a young age, she began testing both professions.

Like singer Maggie Rogers, she would peek her ears out to what her parents would listen to, consisting of rock bands such as “No Doubt.”

Firstly, she debuted in the comedy series “Bizaardvark” (2016-2019). It did not take long before she scored her second leading act. That is, in the Disney series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (2019-ongoing).

Like Hailee Steinfeld, Olivia perfectly transitioned from the screen to the stage. Hence, after penetrating the cited acting gigs, it was time to add musical experience to her resumé.

Subsequently, she signed a record deal (2020) and atop of 2021, released her first single called “drivers license.”

No doubt (no pun intended) that the single foreshadowed the direction she sought to achieve on her album. Five months later, on May 21, 2021, her debut LP hit online streaming.

Sour

Indeed, throughout 11 songs clocking in at 34 minutes long, on “Sour,” she finds the superb outlet to let out all her emotions as a teenager. Whether those affections are angriness, sadness, jealousness, happiness, and so forth.

In my personal opinion, the LP follows Katty Perry’s “Teenage Dream” (2010) blueprint. A record filled with post-breakup songs, too. Undoubtedly, her parent’s influences show by her incorporating pop, rock, and punk into the post-breakup mix.

So, as Valentine’s Day is approaching, if broken-hearted, play these sour tracks curated by Olivia Rodrigo! No doubt, it is a rollercoaster filled with many emotions.

Watch “drivers license” and listen to “Sour” down below.

1. “Deja vu” music video by Olivia Rodrigo. Directed by Allie Avital (Greffen Records, 2021). ↩︎
2. “Sour” album by Olivia Rodrigo. Cover artwork by Dina Hovsepian, Tim Barsten, and Grant Spanier (Greffen Records, 2021). ↩︎

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