We at TREMG love spotlighting rising and underappreciated talent to give underground creators a platform and the recognition they deserve. So many artists spent June offering fans new treats, releasing some of the best work of their career, and opening up in their lyrics like never before. Throughout June, we got to talk to incredible artists like Friend of a Friend, Ada Marques, Attack The Sound, CASEY, Jordan Michelle, Lauren Monroe, and The Happy Fits about their new projects, but there’s a whole world of talent making their own waves. Here are some of our favorite new releases from this month!
aespa – “Life’s Too Short” (English Version)
Kicking off summer with the perfect chill anthem, aespa take a stand against online trolls and negativity with “Life’s Too Short,” which we’ll be getting a Korean version of when they drop their Girls EP on July 8th! Giselle, Karina, Ningning, and Winter take turns shrugging off the hate they’ve gotten with a playful grace that showcases exactly why their MYs love them so much: no matter what kinds of topics they’re addressing, aespa find a way to make it fun and uplifting. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter now before they become even bigger K-Pop legends!
‘Life’s Too Short’ contains a message to all our MYs to stay true to yourselves and spread love because life is too short, so [we] hope everyone listens to it and receives positive energy!
aespa
Ceara Cavalieri – “Used”
Unfortunately, it feels like unhealthy and unbalanced relationships are becoming more common than ever. But fortunately, we have thought-provoking artists like Ceara Cavalieri to remind us of our worth and the fact that no one should feel like they have to stay in a toxic situation. The future pop-rock icon calls out an ex who treated her poorly on her latest single, the energetic “Used,” and if you’re not already used to her immersive storytelling or unapologetic vulnerability, get ready for the musical ride of your life. You can keep up with her journey on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter!
I wrote this song about being in a relationship that began to feel one-sided. It’s the worst feeling when someone begins to act like they don’t care about you anymore or are just ‘using’ you. In the song, there’s this back and forth inner struggle between staying in this relationship where you are being treated badly or leaving because you’re sick of feeling ‘Used.’ It’s easy to make excuses for their behavior at first, especially if you really care about them, but no one deserves to be in any type of relationship or friendship where they are feeling that way, and I hope people can connect to this song like I do.
Ceara Cavalieri
Daya – “Love You When You’re Gone”
Daya reminds everyone she’s Main Pop Girl material with the introspective, retro-inspired “Love You When You’re Gone,” an ode to moving forward and leaving the past in the past while still finding yourself missing an ex. Even in the midst of an 80s revival in music, this track feels uniquely Daya while drawing from a past even further back than the relationship she’s describing. It feels like she’s shedding her old skin and stepping into a new era of her life where she can truly shine like she deserves. If you love her, don’t let her be gone – connect with Daya on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter!
‘Love You When You’re Gone’ was written in a period of time when I was experiencing overwhelming feelings of loneliness and nostalgia. I found myself romanticizing a past relationship in a way that was almost willfully forgetting the reality of why it didn’t work out in the end. I realized part of the reason I was holding on to the relationship for so long was because I was scared to face who I’d be and what my life would be like without it, and so it’s about trying to let all that go and give myself the space and freedom to grow on my own.
Daya
Daydream Review – “Dream Sequence #29”
Daydream Review mastermind Elijah Montez will take you to another world with “Dream Sequence #29,” which feels like a change of frequency from the usually grounded alt-pop scene. It’s psychedelic and mysterious, yet has a sense of familiarity at the same time. It sounds like the 70s went to space and we’re totally here for it! If that sounds like a daydream to you, then be sure to keep up with Daydream Review on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bandcamp.
I don’t think I’m alone in this, but I have had more than a few dreams about the end of the world, which I think were probably more common in the era of COVID. So there’s some intentionally jarring qualities, both sonically and lyrically, that I tried to get across to communicate some of the more unsettling nature of those kinds of dreams.
Elijah Montez
Dhruv – “Blur”
Feel like falling in love right now? Check out Dhruv’s “Blur,” a bass-driven alt-pop track that will definitely capture your heart. It’s undeniably fun and airy, so it’s the perfect summer anthem to be listening to while you’re driving around, hitting the beach, and spending time with friends. Bonus points if you’re doing those things with your significant other, since “Blur” describes that thrill of falling for someone. So make sure you get that song on your playlist and learn more about Dhruv on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and his official site!
To be honest, I never imagined I’d make a song someone could dance to. Sonically, I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone and play around with a different palette of sounds. My first EP was made very intimately and is quite lo-fi. Working on something as grand and lush as ‘Blur’ was a challenge, but really rewarding. ‘Blur’ is about the initial high of falling for someone new and those surreal moments where life begins to feel like a dream.
Dhruv
Meghan Trainor – “Bad For Me” (feat. Teddy Swims)
She’s officially back! Meghan Trainor is embracing her retro pop roots and moving forward to forge a new path with “Bad For Me,” a midtempo ballad about recognizing you deserve better than how someone is treating you. Simply put, Meghan and Teddy are a match made in musical heaven. Their voices mesh so well together and the whole song feels so empowering! Make sure you check out Meghan’s Takin’ It Back album when it drops in October, and keep up with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and her website.
My dad actually sent me Teddy’s video for ‘Broke,’ and I’ve been so obsessed with him ever since. It’s a dream to record with someone who has that good of a voice, and he’s the sweetest guy ever. The song is a true story for me. It’s about how I stood up for myself and took a step back from a relationship that was hurting me more than anything. It’s hard to do, but I needed to in order to feel better.
Meghan Trainor
NAYEON – “POP!”
Nayeon is already considered a K-Pop legend as a member of TWICE, but she’s making an even bigger name for herself with her solo debut, “POP!” This bubbly track came just in time for summer, which we don’t think is a coincidence given its bouncy vibe and exciting mood. This feel-good track deserves to be on all your sunny day playlists, or even on your rainy day rotation to boost your energy. And if you enjoy this song, check out the other six tracks on her IM NAYEON EP! You can keep up with her solo projects and promotions on TWICE’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Nessa Barrett – “die first”
Nessa Barrett bares her soul like never before with her raw track “die first,” which she dedicates to her late friend Cooper Noriega. It’s a vulnerable, 90s-esque anthem about worrying how a relationship will end, hoping that you don’t live to see it crumble or hurt the other person. “If I die first, I can be in love forever,” she insists with an edgy flair reminiscent of Alanis Morisette and Halsey. Nessa will be included in lists of female music legends alongside those two someday, so get ahead of the curve and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and her official site!
It quickly turned into a love song to the most important people in my life. I don’t ever want to think about not having them by my side. I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about this song; everyone has someone, or something even, that they can’t imagine life without. This song means more to me than anyone could comprehend. One of the first people I shared it with was my best friend Cooper Noriega and he said it was his favorite song from my album. I’m so happy I got to tell him that it was for him and my mom before he passed.
Nessa Barrett
Rebounder – “Boy Friday”
You’ve heard sibling bands before, but you haven’t heard one quite like Rebounder. Dylan and Noah Chenfeld recruited Cobey Arner and Zack Kantor to create an indie rock quartet for a new age, reminiscent of artists like half•alive and COIN but still standing apart with a unique attitude and approach. No matter what day of the week it is, you can jam out to “Boy Friday” and relate to the duality in its lyrics, exploring the contrast between the fear of and hope for the future. The group manages to play with such an existential topic with charm and ease, giving you food for thought while making sure you don’t get too lost in the thoughts it feeds. Follow along with their future projects on Instagram and Twitter!
On this one, we were really interested in the idea of feeling excited and optimistic about the future, while simultaneously noticing, recognizing the passage of time more and the natural pressure it puts on you to try harder to get where you wanna go.
Noah Chenfeld
SUMMY – “Said It After”
Step into a dreamy pop wonderland with SUMMY’s “Said It After,” a kaleidoscopic masterpiece that touches on the damage a relationship full of sweet talk can do. The mesmerizing production veils the darker side of the lyrics in a way that mirrors how the seemingly kind words and praise from SUMMY’s ex blindsided her. It’s a thrilling look at the impact of toxic relationships and how you can let them destroy you, or emerge stronger than ever once they come to a close. For more wondrously clever pop mastery, be sure to keep up with SUMMY on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
This is a song about being in love with someone whose words can put you into a deep trance by saying all the things you want to hear. Only to realize that it was all a cover-up for their demons and battles that were placed on you and ultimately, broke you. So when their words come out again, they mean nothing anymore because they ‘Said It After’ [they] struck the heart for the last time.
SUMMY
YUNGBLUD – “Don’t Feel Like Feeling Sad Today”
YUNGBLUD adds to his immersive roster of outsider empowerment anthems with “Don’t Feel Like Feeling Sad Today,” a vibrant display of positivity and hope in the face of negativity and hate. Much like his quarantine banger “weird!,” “Feeling Sad” takes on an upbeat feel and a focus on helping fans feel less alone in what they might be going through. It’s a thesis statement for everything Dom is about that will boost your mood on the days you need it most. If you feel like joining the Black Hearts Club today, check out YUNGBLUD on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and his website!
I wrote this song on a morning when I didn’t even want to get out of bed. I sat and looked at the ceiling, head full of so much shit, reading what the internet was saying about me that day, and I just didn’t feel like feeling sad. I wrote these words to help me stand up. To me, this song is what happiness feels like. Happiness with a bite. A defiant sort of happiness. Looking at yourself in the mirror and telling the sadness to fuck off and come back another day. I wanted this song to be a little part of someone’s day, no matter what they’re going through they can put this on and feel a bit stronger today. That’s the vision, that’s the dream…
YUNGBLUD
What were your favorite releases this month? Let us know in the comments below or link up with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
