Francesca Fuentes Enters the Chat with “Can’t Hide”

by A. Pollinger “If you take note of any pop singer this year, let it be Francesca Fuentes.” The melodies of Francesca Fuentes, an enchanting singer hailing from New Jersey, are not unfamiliar in the indie-pop realm. While a familiarity rings through her mesmerizing tracks, there is something wholly unique that spikes the pink drink gin-fizz of her new EP, Can’t Hide. I was captivated by the visual appeal of Fuentes’ music video, “I Just Wanna Be Your Lover Again,” a love-lorn journey through the decades and a musical homage to Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Priscilla Presley. Pop is something that BTN!M has covered plenty since it launched in … Continue reading Francesca Fuentes Enters the Chat with “Can’t Hide”

Don’t Mess with the Princess: Maya J Fires Back

by Amaris Pollinger “I’d really love it if people wouldn’t make me put my Slytherin scarf on…” I’ll start by saying that Maya Jenkins aka Maya J, is hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing at her wit and the comedic truth bombs she dropped with more bubbly finesse than the pop of a champagne bottle. By far my favorite quote by the Florida-born, LA- based actress/singer is probably:   “I would really love it if people wouldn’t make me put my Slytherin scarf on.”  This is in reference to Maya J constantly being labeled nothing more than a “sweet, nice girl” who can … Continue reading Don’t Mess with the Princess: Maya J Fires Back

Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

By Amaris Pollinger The world was on pause… Consisting of Matt James (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Wilson (drums) and Matt Christoforo (bass), the Connecticut trio, Phatt James (a college nickname given to a reluctant Matt James that he later decided to own) were set to play their debut show at the infamous Toad’s Place, but leave it to COVID-19 to crash a party. With the onset of quarantine, Phatt James headed into the studio to work on their debut album, Just Begun.  “It [the pandemic] definitely made us more connected as a band,” says James, “all the time spent in the … Continue reading Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

It’s Time for the Turns: Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes on ‘Experimental Health’

by Amaris Pollinger “I wanted to turn over and over again to a fresh new page…” The most important thing to know about The Telescopes’s fourteenth album, Experimental Health is that it is entirely transportive and all-encompassing. It’s so transportive that I went into a meditative state and decided to sketch a gift for my husband, and I hardly pick up a graphite pencil these days.  It really does take you somewhere else. Quite frankly, my time spent listening to Experimental Health has been some of the most relaxing moments I’ve had in March. There is something so peaceful, so serene … Continue reading It’s Time for the Turns: Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes on ‘Experimental Health’

JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

I’m so sorry to myself for justifying a narcissistic hell… JESSIA has a penchant for creating relatable, stinging tracks about heartache. Her newest single, “Care About Me,” is no different. The Canadian pop singer might have a sugar-rush sound, but her lyrics and vocals are all pain and soul.    “Care About Me” is all about the quick unraveling of a relationship: “Rip my heart from my chest/and I’ll still apologize for making a mess” is probably the mantra of every survivor of a toxic, narcissistic relationship ever known (actually, JESSIA throws a line in there about that too, “I’m so … Continue reading JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

Celebrate with R&B “Princess” Maya J

Happy Birthday Maya J! R&B/pop artist Maya J releases her sassy new track, “Princess,” to celebrate her birthday! Already garnering attention and positive acclaim from critics and fans, “Princess” is the go-to track for anyone in their confidence era. Blending elements of pop, trap, and R&B, Maya J utilizes her skills as a violinist by performing all the strings on the track, showcasing her many talents. “Princess” is hot off the trail of her previous single, “Chills,” which landed on Apple Music’s Best New Music Playlist. Maya J is also an accomplished actress. For more Maya J, head to her … Continue reading Celebrate with R&B “Princess” Maya J

“Care About Me” by JESSIA Out Now!

“Care About Me,” the latest single by Canadian pop sensation JESSIA, is out now. A lyrical treat that will tug at your heart, this soul-stirring ballad captures the moments of a relationship that is quickly unraveling.    “I knew it was a special song as soon as I wrote it, but I didn’t know if anyone would relate,” says JESSIA.   The JUNO award-winning singer has seized the hearts of fans worldwide with her relatable, raw prose and heart-stirring tracks, resulting in over 375 million global streams. In 2023, JESSIA joined OneRepublic for a tour across Asia and supported Dean Lewis … Continue reading “Care About Me” by JESSIA Out Now!

Leah Marie Mason is Here to Say Your Boyfriend Sucks

Nashville singer Leah Marie Mason breaks away from her country roots with her new track, “Your Boyfriend Sucks.” The ultimate Galentine (and anti-Valentine) anthem, “Your Boyfriend Sucks” celebrates the importance of honest friendships and female empowerment (yasss queen).  Inspired by a friend of Mason’s who was dating a guy who grossly mistreated her, Mason penned this raw song that she says is “brutally honest, but I believe it’s for the better because that’s what a real friend does.”  Leah Marie Mason’s debut EP, Honeydew & Hennessy, generated millions of streams, with PEOPLE magazine comparing Mason to the likes of Taylor Swift … Continue reading Leah Marie Mason is Here to Say Your Boyfriend Sucks

Almost 10 Years Later, 1989 Still Hasn’t Gone Out of Style

1989 is back and better than ever! Although it’s hard to outdo an album as original as is iconic, the new and improved 1989 (Taylor’s Version) by far surpassed all odds. Not only did the album gain the beloved Taylor’s Version behind its title, but it also gained five new remarkable vault tracks. These songs are new to the album but contain the familiar 1989 spunk. Taylor Swift covers everything from pining love to snowmobile accidents – Let’s dive right in! The first vault track, “Slut!” shocked us all, to say the least. While most expected it to be an … Continue reading Almost 10 Years Later, 1989 Still Hasn’t Gone Out of Style

Killinginthekitchen Sings What We Struggle To Say

by Phoebe D. Renje The name killinginthekitchen may seem odd, but for Lex, it invokes a different story: an inside family joke that became their stage name. Lex devoted their time to music under the name Killinginthekitchen, fast becoming a local headliner across the Orlando area. With their latest single, Lex explores the internal struggle plagues many young adults: “What is my purpose?” They write about this internal conflict in their latest release, “Save My Place.”  “I wanted to write about how I’m feeling in the present moment,” Lex says of their latest single. Their debut album, Actions Speak Louder … Continue reading Killinginthekitchen Sings What We Struggle To Say