Early Twenties is the debut LP of singer Cat Burns. She first burst into the music scene in 2016. Eight years later, she released her first album. Is this the best LP of 2024? In the third edition of Music, Movies, and Me Awards, let’s break it down.

It is no surprise that the surroundings influence and shape a person for their future. For example, thanks to her mother, singer Maggie Rogers grew up listening to Lauryn Hill, to name an artist.

For Cat Burns, the gospel music played in the background of her household inclined her towards falling in love with music.

Generally, in the music industry, there is a blueprint to follow before getting signed. Below are the steps (simplified).

1. Build an Image: Choose your stage name, music genre, and audience target.
2. Record music: Before a Long Play (LP), an Extended Play (EP) is mandatory. With an EP or mixtape, artists can approach labels and show what they have to offer musically.
3. Get signed: Should the EP be successful, the label signs the artists and gives the green light for the next project.
4. Build a team: An album is a product of collaboration. Make connections, talk to writers and producers, and let them know your vision.
5. Release an Album: The first LP is the introduction to the world and shows what the musicians have to offer.

In fact, that is what Cat did. In 2016, she self-released her first EP titled “Adolescent.” By 2019, she proved determination and released her second EP, “Naive.”

Unfortunately, the Pandemic (2020) put a stop to the world. However, the only thing that grew was the number of people online.

As a result, through social media channels, Cat Burns’ name started growing due to her singing covers of songs. This led her to get signed by the record label “Since 93.” Later on, she embarked on tour as the opening act for major artists such as Ed Sheeran.

Undoubtedly, lockdown, if used to your advantage, was something positive. That was also the case for Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, to name a few, who recorded albums during COVID-19.

Her third EP, “Emotionally Unavailable” (2022), proved the consistency and hunger in her as an artist. Finally, on July 12, 2024, step five was checked. That is, to release the album.

early twenties

As Cat Burns stated, the album is the output of four years of work. She started working on it at age twenty. Hence, she grew with it and applied all the lessons learned, the good and the bad ones.

Through the 17 “cathartic” songs, as she calls them, the listener overcomes the sadness. Also, the great thing is that they are relatable to teens and adults.

So, what to expect for her sophomore? Will she play it safe or experiment? The sophomore album is a breaking point for many. According to Missy Elliott, it is the best time to experiment!

After all, Cat has surrounded herself with great writers and producers to deliver a high-standard product. Today, Burns has become the voice of all introverts and can only grow from here on.

Congrats to Cat on the best album of 2024!

Watch “Met Someone” and stream Cat Burn’s “early twenties” below!

1. “Met Someone” music video by Cat Burns. Directed by Libby Burke Wilde (Since ’93, RCA Records, 2024). ↩︎
2. “Early Twenties” album cover by Cat Burns (Since ’93, RCA Records, 2024). ↩︎

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A Week in Nashville by Charlotte Cardin is the fourth overall EP and the first of the year. After two solid albums and a possible third one on the horizon, is this the best EP of 2024? In the third edition of Music, Movies, and Me Awards, let’s break it down.

Since a teenager, Charlotte has had an eye for the camera. But what began as modeling transcended to music. Hence, she began attending music contests such as “The Voice.”

As with other musical endeavors, the blueprints have been laid out before. Below are some steps.

1. Record an EP: The EP serves as the resumé to future record labels.
2. Collaborate: Reach out to other artists and stay open for features. Being introduced to other fan bases can generate great results.
3. Consistency: Although commitment is key, release quality over quantity. This is a core element.
4. Release an Album: The first LP is the introduction to the world. Take a leap of faith.

Needless to say, Charlotte debuted her musical journey in 2016 with the EP titled “Big Boy.” Admittedly, she made quite an introduction, and the project received solid reviews.

She also collaborated with Canadian rapper Nate Husser. One year later, in 2017, she kept consistent and released her second EP, “Main Girl.”

Unfortunately, as she began gearing up to mark step number four, that is to release the album, the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) put her musical endeavors on hold.

However, she gave the world a taste of what she was working on and what to expect next. Finally, on April 23, 2021, Charlotte released her major debut LP, “Phoenix.”

The LP was met with positive reviews and debuted at number one on the Canadian Chart. In the music industry, a music product can give the artists a two-year cycle for releasing the album, videos, interviews, touring, etc. Eventually, the process needs to be repeated.

Hence, she headed to the studio, recorded new material, and two years later released her sophomore LP titled “99 Nights” (2023).

Once again, the album struck the right chord among fans and critics. Like its predecessor, it won “Album of the Year” at the Canadian “Juno Awards.” A bold statement for a newcomer.

A Week in Nashville

Nine months afterward, on May 17, 2024, Charlotte presented to fans a taste of her latest studio sessions in the form of an EP, titled “A Week in Nashville.”

During 9:05 minutes of running time and three tracks, the singer showcases her unique sound under great instrumentation. Instead of over-releasing, she marks step three. That is quality over quantity.

Rarely do artists deliver after their sophomore LP. Think about it. You have made an impact on your debut LP and proved consistent on your sophomore, can you find success for a third time, just like Ashe did?

After all, the third one is a hard climb for many. As of now, Charlotte keeps striving! We will keep an eye on what Cardin delivers on her next album.

Congrats to Charlotte on the best EP of 2024!

Watch “Daddy” and stream Charlotte Cardin “A Week in Nashville” below.

1. “Meaningless” music video by Charlotte Cardin. Directed by Norman Wong (Atlantic, Cult Nation, 2021). ↩︎
2. “A Week In Nashville” EP cover by Charlotte Cardin (Atlantic, Cult Nation, 2024). ↩︎

The post “A Week in Nashville”: Charlotte Cardin previews new songs on EP appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.

Willson is the third LP by singer Ashe. It was released on September 6, 2024, and was produced by Collin Pastore and Jake Finch. What happened during these two years, and why was it a good idea to hide from the spotlight? Let’s break it down.

Ashe Rae Willson marked her path as a singer. As previously reported, she worked smart early in her career by collaborating with multiple artists (e.g., musical groups, DJs, and singers).

Thus, this led to her well-executed EPs “Rabbit Hole” (2018), “Moral of The Story: Chapter 1” and “Moral of the Story: Chapter 2” (2019).

So, once she had established her fanbase, on May 7, 2021, she released her debut LP, Ashlyn.” This led to the traditional promo cycle, doing interviews, performing shows, and embarking on a tour. But once the cycle is completed, the singer must head to the studio to record new material.

As reported multiple times, the sophomore album weighs more than the debut. Anyone can make it, the hard part is keeping it, right?

Hence, Ashe worked hard and crafted “Rae.” It was released on October 14, 2022, and the audience could see her growth, confidence post-divorce, and evolution throughout the fourteen tracks.

As the cycle goes on, the tour “Fun While It Lasted” was announced for 2023. However, at the peak of her career and with the momentum going, Ashe Rae Willson canceled it.

“Wish I wasn’t a mess. I don’t know how to feel, I’m out of my mind.”

-Ashe, Shower With My Clothes On (2022)

During 2023, Rae stepped away from the spotlight. One year later, she explained to her fans why.

1. Music and singing felt hollow and sad.
2. Rehearsing for the tour would set off panic attacks
3. She wanted out of doing music

However, in the midst of her feeling low, she decided to do the following activities:

1. Therapy: A scary word, and not many take the initiative and decide to suffer in silence.
2. Gardened: Outdoor activities can heal the body and mind. Ashe also bought power tools to build things.
3. Family: Spend time with her inner circle. No matter what, family will always be there!

Throughout the process, Ashe fell in love with music again, and this time learned about freedom. On June 27, 2024, Rae announced her third album due out in September, “Willson.” More importantly, her first Independent record.

So, on September 6, 2024, the singer released “Willson.” A twelve-track record where Ashe is enjoying music again.

Willson

The truth is the following. We have witnessed this many times. Artists spiraling out of control. The pressure of fame, the album rollouts, the tours. It is exhaustive, and not many deal with it properly. Thus, the reason why the “27 Club” exists.

“Im grateful to be on the other side. I feel lucky I have been able to take this time.”

-Ashe Rae via Instagram announcing her new album, Willson (2024)

Many suffer in silence and choose to bottle up those emotions until tragedy strikes. Luckily, that was not the case for Ashe.

Watch “I Wanna Love You” and listen to “Willson” below.

1. “I Wanna Love You” music video. Directed by Ashe and Luke Rogers (Independent release, 2024). ↩︎

The post “Willson”: Ashe Rae takes time to heal and releases her first independent album appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.

cxoxo is the fourth studio album of Camila Cabello, released on June 28, 2024. After three albums portraying the “good girl” image, she does a 360-degree change to her persona and frees her inner self to release a new LP and incorporate an unexplored genre. But is it successful?

Camila Cabello – a Cuban American born in ‘97 was fond of music from an early age. In the present day, it is accessible to pursue a musical career with musical software tools. Just like pop singer Girl in Red did in 2021.

Add the internet into the mix, and chances are that aspiring singers can reach the masses to build a brand for themselves without the help of any intermediaries. But back in the early 2010s, it was still scarce or unheard of artists making it independently.

Social Media was in its infancy, and using the promotional aspects to brand oneself was limited. Hence, how did upcoming singers make themselves stand out from the rest of the crowd? Auditions.  

Camila Cabello began her musical journey by auditioning for the well-known program, The X Factor. As faith would have it, she paired with other girls to form the group “The Fifth Harmony” (2012).

Despite the success of the group, Camila departed after four years (2016). The truth is that the hard part of leaving a group is finding your own identity.

However, afterward, she did not waste any time continuing with her solo aspirations. During 2017, she remained active with features with other artists such as Young Thug on “Havana.”

Once the single hit online, it proved she could hold it down as a solo artist. Not only that but also the single perfectly hyped her self-titled album, Camila (2018).

As mentioned on many occasions, the success of the debut album is crucial. Namely, it dictates the first impressions of fans towards the music and thus opens the possibility of embarking on a tour.

Indeed, Camila resonated with fans all over the world. As mentioned before, the cycle of an album can only be extended for approximately two years. Afterward, the musician needs to head back to the studio to record new material.

And that is exactly what she did. Almost two years later, her sophomore, “Romance,” which included the smash single, featuring Shawn Mendes, was released to critical acclaim.

Due to the pandemic, she wasn’t able to give her follow-up the right promotional as she would have hoped, understandably. Regardless, like many other artists at that time (2020) such as Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber, she also kept recording.

When searching for that next big hit single, sometimes it happens organically and more often inorganically. The label can go to the extent of pairing artists with collaborators while in search of that spark. Way back in the early 2000s, this was happening to Alicia Keys.

“Havana came about in such an organic way. After, I would go in (the studio) with American producers and writers…It felt like they were putting me in this box.“

-Camila Cabello, The Kelly Clarkson Show (2022).

During that time, Camila had had enough and began dealing with anxiety and mental health problems hitting a low point in her life. Eventually, she hit the studio again, only this time with a new team.

“Ricky (producer) introduced me to Cheche and Edgar Barrera. They are Latin. Being in those sessions, I would pull up a playlist of Alejandro Fernandez, Alejandro Sanz, Celia Cruz. Now, it organically went to a place where I’m getting to speak my first language.“

-Camila Cabello, The Kelly Clarkson Show (2022).

24 months later, on April 8, 2022, she released her third album, titled “Familia.” If Camila and Romance scratch the Latin surface, on “Familia” she takes it a step further and proudly showcases her Cuban roots.

Throughout 12 songs, she balances the perfect amount of English and Spanish, making it a versatile record, featuring Machine Gun Kelly, Ed Sheeran, WILLOW, Maria Becerra, and Yotuel.

cxoxo

After such a successful record and a two-year period in between, Camila made a drastic change not only to her image but also sonically by exploring and incorporating hip-hop elements.

“Cxoxo” starts with a catchy and hyped chorus displayed on “I LUV IT.” This vibe only intensifies with the cameos by JT, Young Miami, and Drake, whose appearances resume the party vibes.

Despite those vibes, the last three tracks, “B.O.A.T,” “Pretty When I Cry,” and “June Gloom” bring back the melodic vibes she is known for.

As she described it to Kelly Clarkson, “Familia” felt very organic. If “cxoxo” is also an organic output, only Camila knows. However, despite the image change, musically it portrays a good-dance vibe.

Hopefully, “Cxoxo” by Camila Cabello is an everlasting LP instead of a product of the music industry because organic music will always prevail over inorganic.

Watch “Chanel No.5” and fully stream Camila Cabello’s “Cxoxo”.

1. “Chanel No. 5” music video by Camila Cabello. Directed by Paul Geusebroek (Geffen, Interscope, 2024). ↩︎
2. “Don’t Go Yet” music video by Camila Cabello. Directed by Directed by Philippa Price and Pilar Zeta (Epic Records, 2021). ↩︎
3. “Cxoxo” by Camila Cabello. Cover artwork by Jason Nocito (Geffen, Interscope, 2024). ↩︎

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30 is the fourth album by British singer Adele. It marks a new chapter in her life, which shows her most vulnerable side up to date. But how do her records keep getting better?

Life is made of steps that need to be followed to become successful. It all begins at school followed by University, which will secure a job in the future.

But what happens when a person decides to opt out of University? Does that mean the individual’s life will be unsuccessful? No. That person is just following her instincts.

At least that is what happened to Adele Blue Adkins. Despite her mother’s efforts to send her to college, the soon-to-be singer had already made up her mind.

That day, she penned her emotions down and the result was “Hometown Glory” (2007). Thus, her first-ever recorded song. The next steps were to get a manager and get signed, which she accomplished soon after.

In 2008, on January 28, she made her debut with her album “19.” A record in which she wrote most of the songs at nineteen. Hence, the reason she named it like that.

The album varies between jazz, folk, and indie for a blue-eyed sound. Indeed, her vocals were a dominant factor in winning “Best New Artist” at the Grammy Awards (2009).

Beginning of 2011, on January 24, her sophomore effort, “21,” followed. The LP, an outcome of a failed relationship, has breakups written all over it.

The success of “21” showed at the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards, where she won in 6 categories, including the prestigious “Album of the Year.” Also, it became the best-selling LP of 2011.

Undoubtedly, after two successful LPs, Adele was on top of the world. However, afterward, she stepped away from the spotlight to focus on living.

Unlike her previous records, her third effort, “25,” premiered at the end of 2015, on November 25. Regardless of if at the top of the year or the end, it accomplished the same impact.

The lead single alone, “Hello,” proved that despite her hiatus, fans would support her whenever she dropped new material. In addition, “25” marked a wake-up call in the music industry.

For instance, it shone a light on the poor payment of online streaming. Therefore, to make her point across, she opted out of streaming services just like Taylor Swift (2014).

• Music and its evolution: Online Streaming

Amazingly, instead of damaging her numbers, it catapulted her sales to 3.38 million units sold within the first week. Similarly to “21,” it won “Album of the Year” at the Grammys (2017) and became the best-selling LP of 2015.

After almost 2 years of promoting it, she stepped away from the media to grow as a person. Eventually, she got married and entered a new decade, her 30s (2018).

Adele: 30

On November 19, 2021, she released the aptly titled “30,” known by their fans as Adele 30 Vinyl. Clearly, in four bodies of work, the listener has seen her grow throughout different stages in her life.

As a teenager (19), during breakups (21), makeups (25), and now a woman in her thirties. In a way, she has kept her music as an open diary.

30 mirrors Adele’s most vulnerable side yet. That is, her talking to her son about feeling lonely after her divorce. “Easy On Me” highlights her vocals, and “Can I Get It” lifts the mood with a catchy chorus.

“Sometimes loneliness is the only rest we get.
Let pain be gracious.“

-Adele, Hold On (2021)

Finally, she realizes that loneliness is not a bad feeling. Thus, she has to let pain be gracious and must trust that she will be loved. In the end, love is a game.

Certainly, nowadays it is rare for artists to take time between records. Yet there is Adele, an artist embracing the time to perfect the sound. And quality over quantity prevails every time. Just take a look at the following table.

Needless to say, whenever she goes on her subsequent hiatus, fans can be certain that in the future she will discuss her latest chapter with them!

Watch “Easy On Me” and listen to Adele “30” vinyl.

1. “Oh My God” music video by Adele. Directed by Sam Brown (Columbia Records, 2022). ↩︎
2. “30” vinyl by Adele. Cover artwork by Simon Emmett and Raven B. Varona (Columbia Records, 2021). ↩︎

The post Adele 30 vinyl: Revealing Vulnerability on “30” appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.

When I Close My Eyes is the sophomore effort of singer Chelsea Cutler. What started as uploading independent music online eventually led to packed stadiums. Now, she lays down the mold for upcoming singers.

Chelsea Cutler has always been fond of music ever since enrolled in school. Back then, before releasing music under a name, an individual had to be signed to a label.

But now, the rules have changed. The beauty of the World Wide Web is that it gives a person the tools to endeavor in their passion. Like Girl in Red and Lorde, Chelsea started uploading original songs to the music platform, Soundcloud.

• Lorde radiates summer vibes on “Solar Power”

Thus, slowly she began making a name for herself. However, in the music industry, there is more than just publishing solo anthems. An artist must be willing to experiment. And how do they do that? That is, reaching out to singers and asking them for a feature.

Eventually, collaborations work as a pipeline. By teaming up with other musicians, artists learn from one another, double their fanbase, and thus gain new listeners.

And that is what Chelsea did. From collaborating with Louis the Child to Kasbo, she was putting in the extra hours. In 2018, she released her first extended play (EP), “Sleeping with Roses.”

One year later, she took it a step further, and instead of just reaching out for features, this time she teamed up with singer Jeremy Zucker for a collaborative EP, named “brent.”

On the other hand, Jeremy began recording music while in high school. Afterward, he collaborated with other artists such as emo rapper Blackbear (2017), and in 2018 released his EP, “glisten.”

Besides releasing EPs in the same year (2018), another analogous year for Jeremy and Chelsea was 2020, when they both debuted their long play (LP) “love is not dying” and “How to Be Human,” respectively.

Even though “brent” only contained 5 songs, it was a pleasant introduction to highlight their chemistry. Met with positive reviews, it fueled them to join forces again in 2021 for its sequel, “brent ii.”

Indeed, Chelsea & Jeremy have used the following steps in their favor to grow their respective fanbase altogether. The guide contains five steps.

1. Make a name for yourself: Use the additional online platforms to start your musical journey (e.g., Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple).
2. Sign to a label: After growing a fanbase, record labels will approach you. Nonetheless, don’t rush by signing onto the first one. Make sure to have control over your catalog in the long run.
3. Collaborate: Reach out to artists for a feature. Keep in mind that you will be exposed to other fanbases too. Benefit from that.
4. Release material: Afterward, you are officially ready to record a full-length project, backed with the guidance of an A&R from the label.
5. Quality over quantity: Give the fans long-lasting music over one-time listens! Hence, start with an EP before releasing an LP.

When I Close My Eyes

Before the end of 2021, Chelsea & Jeremy coincided again by releasing “When I Close My Eyes,” and “CRUSHER,” respectively.

Comprised of 16 tracks, “When I Close My Eyes” has heartbreak ballads (e.g., “Walking Away,” “Without You“), overcoming the heartbreaks (e.g., “Easy,” “the lifeboat’s empty!”), and contains one single feature with singer Quinn XCII (e.g., “Calling All Angels“).

For now, it is safe to say that the duo has followed the guide for an everlasting career! As Kendrick Lamar once said, “Careers take off, just got to be patient” (2017).

Watch “Devil On My Shoulder” and stream Chelsea Cutler’s “When I Close My Eyes.”

1. “Devil On My Shoulder” music video by Chelsea Cutler (Republic Records, 2021). ↩︎
2. “Brent” documentary video by Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker (Republic Records, 2019). ↩︎
3. “When I Close My Eyes” album by Chelsea Cutler. Cover artwork by Tess Bjiere (Republic Records, 2021). ↩︎

The post “When I Close My Eyes”: Chelsea Cutler’s Key Steps to Success appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.

Happier Than Ever is Billie Eilish’s sophomore LP, released on July 30, 2021. Since the outburst of her career, the media has paid more attention to her clothes rather than her talent. On this record, she addresses it all and fires back.

As mentioned in Willow’s post, the parent’s trajectory can influence the path to pursue something akin. And that is what happened to Billie Eilish O’Connell with her mother and father being an actress and a musician, respectively.

Whereas some attend school, she was homeschooled, which sparked creative freedom in some way. Hence, during her infant years, she became involved with anything artistically. Whether it was playing an instrument or attending acting auditions.

Other essential members of the family are the siblings. Luckily for Billie, she wasn’t alone on the journey of becoming a singer. Her older brother, FINNEAS, was leading the way.

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In 2015, he had written and produced the song “Ocean Eyes.” Nevertheless, he gave it to his younger sister for an assignment and they uploaded it to Soundcloud. Needless to say, it blew up. Marking the birth of her career.

Ever since then, the relatives began collaborating. Hence, in 2017, her debut EP “don’t smile at me” (produced by FINNEAS) arrived, including “bellyache.”

Although the EP wasn’t a commercial success, it put her on the radar as an artist to watch. Throughout the next year, she finished recording what would become her next endeavor.

On March 29, 2019, her full-length LP, “When Do We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (prod. by FINNEAS), hit online streaming services. If “Ocean Eyes” was the before part of her career, this album was the after.

A dark-themed record, which debuted atop the charts and its singles (e.g., “You Should See Me in a Crown,” “Bury a Friend,” and “Bad Guy“) catapulted her to new heights.

Unfortunately, with fame comes along critics. Instead of focusing on the music, the media began body-shaming a then 18-year-old.

However, that did not stop her from recording. Throughout 2020, she and her sibling locked in his studio to record 16 new tracks for her sophomore, “Happier Than Ever” (prod. by FINNEAS).

Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever

The opening track, “Getting Older” has a dark tone similar to her previous LP. Nevertheless, the beat cuts short before “I Didn’t Change My Number” proceeds with an electro-pop.

On “Billie Bossa Nova” and “Your Power,” FINNEAS knocks it out of the park with guitar strings lingering in the background. Furthermore, “Lost Cause” brings the summer vibes. Also, the visual is a “fuck you” to the critics.

“If I wear what is comfortable, I am not a woman.
If I shed the layers, I am a slut.”

-Billie Eilish, Not My Responsibility (2021)

“OverHeated” brings a fast-paced tempo rarely heard in her music. “Happier Than Ever” and “Male Fantasy” bring closure to a happy phase in Billie’s life.

In conclusion, record companies tend to team up producers with singers expecting to create a hit duo, in most cases being inorganic. However, for the siblings, it has happened organically.

With both still in their teenage years, we will wait for what the future holds for them. Like her brother, she also is a Grammy Winner.

Happy birthday, FINNEAS! Watch and stream Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” on its 1st anniversary.

1. “Lost Cause” music video by Billie Eilish. Directed by Billie Eilish (Darkroom, Interscope, 2021). ↩︎
2. “Happier Than Ever” album by Billie Eilish. Cover artwork by Kelia Anne MacCluskey (Darkroom, Interscope, 2021). ↩︎

The post Billie Eilish “Happier Than Ever”: Celebrating Joy (2/2) appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.

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.

• “Lately I Feel Everything” Album: WILLOW’s Pop-Punk Conquest

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). ↩︎

The post “Optimist” LP: FINNEAS writes and produces it (1/2) appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.

Lately, I feel Everything album is the latest of singer and actress WILLOW. On this LP, released on July 16, 2021, she ditches her distinctive R&B sound to experiment with pop-punk. Along the way, I discover a resemblance to another artist. Who is it?

It is no surprise that our surroundings shape our past, present, and future. Therefore, WILLOW, raised by two famous parents, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, was destined for the spotlight.

Decades ago, it seemed as if artists had to choose just one path. Namely, solely acting or singing. But within time, actors or musicians have proved it is possible to juggle them both.

Firstly, her father, Will Smith, began his rap career in the mid-’80s as part of the duo “DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.” Beginning of the ’90s, he starred as the lead actor in the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Similarly, her mother Jada starred as an actress in the ’90s before transitioning into a rockstar by the 2000s with her band “Wicked Wisdom.” Hence, two clear examples of fusing both professions into one package.

And that is exactly what WILLOW aimed for since her infancy. Born on October 31, 2000, aged 7, she made her acting debut alongside her father in the action “I Am Legend” (2007).

Three years later, she released her first single called “Whip My Hair.” Nevertheless, it wasn’t until the release of her first album “ARDIPITHECUS” that she was taken seriously as a singer. Especially with her smash single “Wait a Minute!“

Indeed, this boosted her confidence with follow-ups “The 1st” (2017) and “WILLOW” (2019). In addition, she joined forces with singer Tyler Cole for “The Anxiety” (2020).

Lately I Feel Everything album

In 2021, she unleashed her latest project called “lately I feel EVERYTHING.” Once you hit play, you know exactly which genre she is aiming to conquer: pop-punk.

Including 11 new tracks, the LP has contributions from Ayla Tesler-Mabe, Tierra Whack, Avril Lavigne, Cherry Glazerr, and Travis Barker. For some reason, upon listening to the songs, I could hear a young Avril in WILLOW. The resemblance is quite amazing.

Undoubtedly, with his drum skills, Travis Barker once again leaves his imprint on an album. Just as he did on Machine Gun Kelly’s “Tickets to My Downfall.” Like MGK, who conquered the pop-punk scene in 2020, so does WILLOW.

As she enters her 20s, she still has more to experiment with. Both artistically and musically. Keep an eye on her!

Watch WILLOW’s “transparent soul” and listen to “lately I feel EVERYTHING” album in the link below.

1. “transparentsoul” visualizer music video by Willow (MSFTS, Roc Nation, 2021). ↩︎
2. “lately I feel EVERYTHING” album by Willow Smith. Cover artwork by Dana Trippe (Roc Nation, 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). ↩︎

The post Ashe sings about love and death on debut LP “Ashlyn” appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.