Is there anything quite like the rush of discovering a new song or artist you can’t get enough of? We think not, and that’s exactly why we at TREMG love spotlighting rising and underappreciated talent to give creators at every level the recognition they deserve. So many artists spent August offering fans new treats, releasing some of the best work of their career, and opening up in their lyrics like never before. Here are some of our favorite new releases from this month!
colby! – “Gone To Bed”
colby! is an alt-pop riser you need to check out ASAP, and “Gone To Bed” is the perfect proof of why she’s set to be one of the genre’s biggest stars soon. Her latest single sits somewhere between Billie Eilish and Claire Rosinkranz, taking a sunny approach to describing a seemingly crumbling relationship that she still hopes will work out somehow. It’s a riveting tale of miscommunication, doubts, and optimism that still persists in spite of the issues present, making it a universally relatable song you can jam out to as you think about your own romantic woes. colby! has used music as an outlet from a young age to cope with severe dyslexia, and things truly started to pick up when she helped her brother, producer RJ Johnson, with college music assignments that wowed his Berklee professors. Just press play and you’ll totally understand why! Make sure you’ve gone to give colby! her flowers on Instagram and TikTok.
My goal is to create music that people can scream in their car to, providing an escape from discouraging situations.
colby!
Emei – “RABBITHOLE”
The disorienting feeling of a panic attack can be extremely hard to put into words, let alone into a song, but Emei manages to do it with ease on “RABBITHOLE.” Even though she’s taking us on a trip “down, down, down” to some of her deepest lows, the song sees Emei reaching new heights as one of this generation’s most dynamic pop artists and proving just how impactful her creative vision can be. She can craft thoughtful tracks that simultaneously tell you what she’s feeling and invite you into her experience so you can feel it for yourself, which is exactly what any big-time music lover is looking for when they press play on a new song. Keep looking out for the latest from Emei on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter!
‘RABBITHOLE’ sounds and feels like falling and panic and your mind racing. We play with whimsical magical touches and racing sounds and all sorts of breakdowns. It touches upon how even though I’ve tried mantras and affirmations and breathing exercises, it often just makes me fall deeper and deeper down into the rabbithole.
Emei
Oliver Cronin & Charley – “Girl Next Door”
Oliver Cronin and Charley deliver a cute modern crush song with “Girl Next Door,” which sees two of Australia’s most exciting pop exports falling for the same girl. The pulsing synths perfectly capture the rush of young love and the chaos of not knowing if you’ll get to show the person you like that you have feelings for them, while the back-and-forth of Oliver and Charley’s verses add some extra drama as you wonder which of them will confess to her first. It has the potential to be one of the biggest songs of the fall thanks to the charming story, production, and vocal delivery. It’ll definitely be a standout on Oliver’s Halfway To Paradise EP due on October 3rd, which we can’t wait to hear. The Aussie music scene is in very good hands with these two! Connect with Oliver Cronin on Instagram, TikTok, and his website, and get to know Charley on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and her website.
Oliver sent me this song a couple months ago and asked me to put a verse on it if I liked it. Turns out I loved it, and we wrote the rest of the song together and made it about wanting the same girl! I love how much of a duet it is, especially when the bridge hits. And side note, I have loved working with Oliver so much, he’s such a goofy lil superstar and it’s rare to find people that lift you up as a human and match your fun side, which is so important when making music. Have to remember it’s a fun process instead of being too serious about it.
Charley
Theresa Rex – “Ugly Cry”
Whether you got “augusted” this August or just have a lot going on at the moment, Theresa Rex has just the sad girl soundtrack for your next emotional evening with “Ugly Cry!” She poignantly admits her feelings and shame through the lyrics and her gorgeous vocals, while the upbeat instrumental offers a contrast that mirrors the disconnect we can feel when we pretend we’re okay while going about our daily lives. Theresa is already known worldwide for her vocals on anthems like Martin Jensen’s “Solo Dance” and Jonas Blue’s “What I Like About You,” but “Ugly Cry” shows off a new side of her artistic vision while reminding you that it’s okay to let it out and have a little ugly cry as long as you pick yourself back up after. And now you have a pretty amazing song to listen to while you have that cry. Get to know Theresa on Facebook and Instagram!
I think most of us know that feeling of getting drunk and reaching that point of no return, where the lid just flips and the valves open, and you become an over-sharing, over-emotional, ugly-crying fool, sitting there on the bar bathroom floor asking your friends to hold your hair, do we not? Well, if you do, this might be the messy-girl anthem for you. Sometimes all you need to do is cry until the whole damn place is stuck underwater.
Theresa Rex
Zsana Joyelle – “not interested”
We have a dreamy debut on our hands with “not interested,” courtesy of Zsana Joyelle! Complete with beautifully striking vocals and lush production by her brother, Dilan “Da’Genie” Hoskins, “not interested” is a Y2K-inspired track about standing confidently on your own and not pushing your plans or best friends aside for someone who’s pursuing you. It’s a powerful statement that reminds us to stay true to ourselves and refuse to succumb to any outside pressure that might go against our vision. Zsana is a self-described “renaissance woman” who’s well-versed in the entertainment media landscape, and her musical debut showcases her strength and ambition so well. We know she has the potential to be R&B’s next it girl, and we can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for us! Learn more about Zsana on Instagram and TikTok.
What were your favorite releases this month? Let us know in the comments below or link up with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
By Madison Murray
Featured Image: Emei by Jordan Kelsey Knight
