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...

"Younger And Hotter Than Me" by Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco released their incredible collaboration album this month and it is undoubtedly one of the very best albums of the year so far. Every single song is so perfect, I love the way they share this really heartfelt and intimate glimpse into their lives and the journey they took to get where they are now. I am so in awe of this album and how strong the artistic chemistry is between Selena and Benny. The second track, "Younger And Hotter Than Me" is one of my personal favorites, its truly one of the best songs either of them ever made. Selena opens up in such a deeply personal way about the pressures of comparison and insecurity as a woman in the entertainment industry. The music video is also so beautiful and meaningful as well, I love the way they brought all of those emotions to life in such a symbolic way.  Check out my full review of I Said I Love You First  by Selena Gomez ...

"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...

5 Seconds of Summer 's fourth album, CALM ,  serves as an important reflection of the band's evolution from where they started and where they're going as both artistically and personally.  CALM  was the follow-up to their biggest album to date,   Youngblood , which first introduced this more mature and developed alternative rock sound for the band. It is the foundation that all of the music they released after is built upon, both collectively as a band and as solo artists. Much of it is made up of a blend of influences, pairing it with both emotional depth and layered instrumentation.  The album's title is derived from an acronym of the member's first initials, Calum, Ashton, Luke and Michael. "And it's also a nod to our fans that coined us that name in our early days," lead singer Luke Hemmings said in an interview with New York Post . "They've been using that acronym for a long time. It kind of just sums up we're a little bit older and a...