Melissa Kacar

"Swan"   feels like the heart of   Melt , the debut solo album by Mar ía Zardoya , under the name Not For Radio . It is truly   one of the most gorgeous songs María has ever written and expansive under the world in which she created with the rest of the record. It reads like a vow of love, unfolding with some of the most romantic and breathtaking lyrics I have ever heard, as she offers a promise of deep, enduring devotion. "I could love you like a swan would, I could love you 'til the end," she sings in the opening verse. "Take my body, this I promise, won’t let go of your hand". The imagery is striking, it truly feels like an embodiment of the cover of The Marías ' debut album  Cinema . Swans are a motif she has often referenced throughout her art in many different forms, both sonically and visually, which is a beautiful and connective layer that threads through so much of  Mar ía's work.  Later, she continues, "If you meet me by the wate...

"Fame Is A Gun" is so addictive and dramatic in all the best ways. It stands out as one of the biggest highlights on Addison Rae 's self‑titled debut , which is already packed with instant pop classics. There's something very Warholian about this song, both in the production and the performance. It taps into that idea of image as art and the public gaze as the most valuable currency. Throughout the album, Addison reflects on her complicated relationship with fame and being a persona online, fully wanting to make the most of her 15 minutes, so to speak. But here, she fully inhabits the role of the ultra-confident star that is empowered by the attention, regardless of it being positive or negative. "Fame Is A Gun" blurs the lines between reality and aesthetic in a way that's really smart. "Fame is a gun and I point it blind, crash and burn, girl, baby, swallow it dry, you got a front row seat and I got a taste of the glamorous life" she sings in...

"luther" is such a gorgeous song, grounded in the way it's built around an innate sense of love and peace that radiates through every layer of its production. Kendrick Lamar and SZA 's artistic chemistry is truly unmatched and this track feels like the clearest expression of their shared talents. Their creative partnership has only continued to grow across years of collaboration, including twice on Kendrick's 2024 surprise album GNX , where "luther" stands as one of its most expansive moments. The vocal chemistry between them is like no other. They've made incredible music together before, but this feels like their most transcendent collaboration. On the verses, Kendrick opens with a deep yearning for connection and the hope of something brighter. "If this world was mine, I'd take your dreams and make 'em multiply," he raps in the first verse. "If this world was mine, I'd take your enemies in front of God, introduce '...

A great range of artists were celebrated at this year's Grammy ceremony, making it one of the most stacked and memorable shows in recent years. The night was filled not only with incredible performances, but also with meaningful artistic statements that felt especially apt to be making for this moment in history we are living through. Music remains one of the most unifying forces we have, and the statements so many artists chose to make on this stage felt especially important. In a time marked by division, unrest, and the constant heartache of witnessing horrors around the world, moments like this remind us why we need music more than ever to bring us together. Kendrick Lamar was the most nominated artist of the year, earning nine nominations. His album  GNX  was absolutely incredible and truly deserving of all the hype and then some. At the main ceremony, he won for Best Rap Album and for Record of the Year for "luther" featuring SZA . When accepting his award for Best ...