Melissa Kacar

"APT." by ROSÉ stands out as a major highlight from her debut solo album, rosie , which was released in late 2024. As a member of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK , ROSÉ embraced a bold and experimental approach for the start of her solo journey, as the rest of her bandmates have as well. This was the lead single of rosie, released alongside the announcement of her solo album, which went on to become one of the biggest global hits of all time.  It has a strong pop punk vibe to it, which is mostly an outlier compared to the rest of the album, but serves as the perfect introduction to ROSÉ as a solo artist. With her solo debut, she experimented with so many new styles of music that showcased her versatility as an artist. Much of the album feels like a culmination of influences such as Olivia Rodrigo , Katy Perry , Selena Gomez and Avril Lavigne . I have really enjoyed hearing all of the new music each member of BLACKPINK has released over the past few months, and the unique ap...

"You want a timeless song, I wanna change the game" was the bold declaration that served as the opening thesis statement of Dua Lipa 's sophomore album,  Future Nostalgia . The release of this album was a defining moment in pop music history, it masterfully embraced the sounds of the past, while boldly stepping into a new era of music that Dua herself would go on to shape. By honoring the iconic artists who came before her and influenced her art, Future Nostalgia simultaneously carved a path for a new generation of musicians to follow.  With it's retro-futuristic approach,  Future Nostalgia  fused an electrifying and sleek disco sound with something so modern and fresh. The title track, which opens the record, not only introduces Dua's vision for this album but also sets the stage for everything she aspires to achieve in this exciting new chapter of her career. It's powerful, it's independent, and it stands as a testament to one of the defining moments of...

Role Model , which is the stage name for artist Tucker Pillsbury, has been a steadily rising indie artist for the past few years, with his 2024 sophomore album Kansas Anymore serving as his first major breakthrough of his career. Much of the album is a blend of pop, folk, and country music, which is a growing trend in music in recent years, as well as a departure from the sound of much of his 2022 debut album. Kansas Anymore is a really great album, I can't believe it took me this long to listen to it in its entirety. It feels reminiscent of artists like Noah Kahan , Phoebe Bridgers , and Niall Horan , which is fitting since he worked with some of the same collaborators throughout. His voice has also always reminded me so much of Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood , they share a similar soft tone that is very distinct to both of them as vocalists and songwriters. Kansas Anymore  is an album about navigating heartbreak and finding yourself in the process, he truly   ...