Five Seconds & Beyond

American Rock/Punk band Five Seconds of Summer. Courtesy photo by Billboard.

There’s not a lot of mainstream Punk/Rock bands right now that have maintained success after success like mainstream band 5 Seconds of Summer have over the past decade, let alone one that really stands out next to other bands like a Fall Out or Green Day. The boys consist of 5 young lads from Sydney, Australia: Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, & Calum Hood. The band have sold over 10 million records, and racked up or been nominated with numerous awards over the years, such as an American Music Award & a stand-out ASCAP award to name a few.

Their latest effort is the boys self-titled LP 5SOS (Five Seconds of Summer). The record was produced by major label producers/writers Peter Thomas (Pink) & Jake Torrey (Justin Bieber, Maroon 5) that helped the boys continue to achieve their iconic Rock sound and maintain their strong Pop and Punk/Rock influences. The record will release to all streaming music platforms come this Fall, September 23rd.

5SOS will include 19 tracks, including catchy ones “Me, Myself, & I” and “Take My Hand”, and their current rising single “Complete Mess”. I’ve always been a fan of popular Punk/Rock bands since high school, and their sound reminds me a lot of Fall Out Boy. In fact, Good Charolette guitarist Benji Madden (who, ironically, wrote songs for 5SOS’s 2015 Sounds Good Feels Good record), says of the group, “They’re 100 percent, absolutely a real band. They are one of the better young bands I’ve ever seen”. The Five Second boys wrote the majority of the songs off the record, with accompany help from band mate/producer Michael Clifford.

Lead singer Luke Hemmings says in an interview with Billboard, “[Song] ‘Me, Myself, & I’ explores the emotional cycle of feeling like you can do everything on your own and that you don’t need anyone else, but eventually realizing that sometimes you push away the best things in your life”. A decade later, Five Seconds continues to remain a breath of fresh air in such a competitive music industry, with their songs “Don’t Stop”, “Hey Everybody!”, “Moving Along” (to name some of many), still remaining relevant and feeding positive vibes to fans needing it the most in such a divided time for our country.

The boys recently performed for NBC’s Macy’s Fourth of July Spectacular on July 4 holiday, and continue to remain a beloved band on national television programs. You can pre-download 5SOS now on music platforms.

Calling On Camila Cabello

Pop star Camila Cabello (Photo Courtesy: BILLBOARD Magazine)

One of my favorite Pop and Latin/Pop artists right now is none other than music veteran Camila Cabello. The vivacious 27-year-old songstress hails from Cojimar Columbia and she is a force to be reckoned with in today’s music industry. Camila has what it takes — shed’s flawlessly beautiful and has a stellar set of pipes to give her predecessors like Ariana Grande or J.Lo a run for their money. A lot of people forget, or do not know that this girl once upon a time came from a singing show like-Idol over a decade ago, called The X Factor, getting her start in one of the popular girl groups Fifth Harmony (“That’s My Girl”, “Work From Home”) created by music mogul Simon Cowell (the group only lasted a few years from 2012 until 2018, giving the girls a chance to branch out else-wise musically).

From her humble beginnings within a well-known girl group, it didn’t take long for fans to quickly flock to her original artistry when she first released “Havana” in 2018, where it quickly established her own trail, as the song catapulted to making it one of the best selling singles to date for Cabello. In turn with the song, it talks about her love for the city of Havana, Cuba, and especially her Cuban heritage. But moving forward, let’s talk about her latest album coming C,XOXO on June 28th. Her fourth studio album was produced by music producers Daniel Aged (Frank Ocean), El Guincho (J Balvin, ROSALIA) & producer Jasper Harris (Post Malone, Jack Harlow), shortly after parting ways with major label Epic Records and starting a with new chapter with Universal Music Group’s Epic Records. Camilla speaks of the producers: “I do feel like I’m a weirdo, and that’s the music that I love, and that’s the music that I feel the most proud of making. I think, a lot of time it comes to finding people that are weirdos too, and Jasper’s a weirdo, Guincho’s a weirdo, and I think the three of us were able to just keep it in this bubble of like, we don’t give a fuck, and we’re just going to do what we think is fire.”

From embarking on a new journey artistically, Camila says in a 2022 interview of the recording process, “…it’s really sitting in the discomfort of things and realizing there’s not gonna be a neat, in-a-box answer. I feel strong in these ways, weak in these ways, and there’s no real clear answer here. But the album process has been such a journey…”.

The lead single off the record was “I Luv It (feat. Playboi Carti)”, releasing to streaming music platforms on March 27th, 2024. It is the follow up to 2022’s full-length Familia (alongside She performed the new single at this year’s renowned musical festival for popular secular music for Coachella. Featured on C,XOXO is girl group City Girls and solo artist Lil Nas X. The new album will mark a fresh sound and artistic venture for Cabello.

One impressive collaborator on Cabello’s LP is none other than superstar Hip-Hop artist Drake — so impressive that Camila gave him not one but two songs of his own on her forthcoming album. She says in an interview with Billboard, “Why does he have his own song’, you ask? Because selfishly, I just want to hear Drake on my own album. I love that for me — it’s like that rebellious mood. Who says I can’t do that? It’s Drake talking his s—.” Cabello goes on to say about her star collab, showed him the album when I felt comfortable enough— and he really liked it!”. The song two songs of Drake’s are “Uuugly” and “Hot Uptown”.

Overall. Cabello’s career is still bright and shining as ever. Thus far, she has sold nearly 40 million records worldwide (38.5 million according to RIAA) and received two renowned Latin Grammy’s. Go and download Camila Cabello’s music, ya’ll won’t be disappointed.

Be About Betty Who!

Mainstream Pop artist Betty Who (Photo Courtesy: Official Facebook Page).

Do you find yourself contemplating who this “Betty Who” person is? Fear not, as you’ve found the perfect spot to discover dirt about her. Her incredible voice and charismatic persona are truly inspiring, and I’ve been a fan of Betty’e music for over a decade now ever since I heard the dancy, fun “Somebody Loves You” of 2014. Her original name is Jessica Anne Newham, and she was born and grew up in Sydney, Australia; where she discovered her passion for music. Her musical influences growing up were Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry. Did you know that when she was just 16, the talented singer-songwriter we all know and love as “Betty Who” came up with her stage name while she was still in high school? Jess was trying to figure out her life and going through some old lyric books when she stumbled upon a song she once wrote about unrequited love. That’s when Jessica knew that “Betty Who” was the perfect name to represent her unique style, passion for music. Her friends agreed the artist name was perfect. Pretty cool, right? From there, Jessica’s exceptional musical talent and her ability to write her own songs helped her gain a massive fan following on YouTube. Her acceptance into the prestigious Berklee College of Music further strengthened her skills and propelled her singing career towards the path of success. To add, Berkelee is where, in turn, “Betty” met her manager and band mates as well. She says in an old interview about her time at Berklee, “that was my first time doing singing ever, anywhere”. An independent EP “The Movement” was released in 2013.

From there, Betty’s road to fame sped up, and by 2014 she was signed to RCA Records (Becky G, Khalid) and Betty released her debut album “Take Me When You Go”. A second No. 1’s was released from the album, “All of You”. In turn with her hopeless romantic songs, in her personal life she dated ex-husband Zak Caesar, and then by 2017 they were married (the couple divorced in 2020). Four out of the thirteen songs were taken from her original EP and added to the 13-track LP. Betty’s Sophomore album The Valley featured 13-tracks, also coming from RCA. But, her music dream has still came with a few sacrifices in order to keep it alive. Yet, even after being at a major label left Newham feeling constricted and stifled in expressing herself musically and artistically, so she decided to cut her ties with RCA and left to allow herself have complete control over her artistic vision, in return leaving her to navigate as an independent artist and by 2018, she released her first independent single “Ignore Me” — which in return told about her stifled relationship with the now-long gone partnership with RCA.

But let’s fast forward up to 2022, and things are looking up and promisingly, once again as Betty “finally feels more confident than ever”. Article MetroWeekly says of Betty’s new venture, “Two and a half years in the making, it is a welcome reminder that she has lost none of her flair for crafting a catchy, infectious pop song. Two and a half years in the making, it is a welcome reminder that she has lost none of her flair for crafting a catchy, infectious pop song.” The 2022 album “BIG!” is a project centered on the theme of self-discovery and the virtues of assertiveness and confidence. Her lead single off the record was “Blow Out My Candle”. Writers for Betty’s independent album were Martin Johnson, Ferras, Meghan Kabir, Brandon Paddock, and Danen Reed Rector.

Overall, this girl is on fire and her career still looks bright; as I think she can give her current peers in Pop like Dua Lipa, Maren Morris, and Rihanna a run for their money vocally.

All About Andrew Garcia

American Idol alumni Andrew Garcia.

When it comes to singing shows like Idol, it has launched a plethora of artists — some of whom we all know and love — yet, there seems to be a sour stigma around unforgettable contestants who may have been cut early on, but didn’t necessarily have either a strong enough fan base, or the talent, to really capitulate them into super stardom like their predecessors from memorable seasons past. Andrew Garfield is one of these. With his Israel-Houghton artist similarities, to his raw and soulful tone, to his infectious guitar skills, Garcia fought to establish himself as one of Season 9’s unforgettable contestants, and made it all the way to 9th place that year — even making the cut for the (at the time) American Idols LIVE! 2010 Tour.

Let’s delve into where Andrew is now as an independent artist. Following his post-Idol elimination, Garcia found himself in the throws of writing music and songwriting, back to his original gigging days and, previously, being discovered by FOX producers as a YouTube star for his popular cover songs. Garcia released his debut single “Crazy”, the following year in 2011.

That same year he performed shows with a musical-comedy performing group Yesterday, Today, & Forever — where Andrew had the opportunity to travel overseas and perform alongside the group in Honolulu, Hawaii. To add, in 2013 Garcia also sang a popular track “GTFO My Room” with fellow YouTube star Ryan Higa (a.k.a. nigahiga); where it surprisingly in the new age of streaming music, reached

By 2015, after having spurts of little success, he was finally able to release a self-promoted EP entitled “Hell & Back” on iTunes. However, his track “Ghost” was released earlier on as the lead independent-based single a year before. Then in 2017, he released another EP Love Wounds, (which brings us to a more, I feel, legitimate artist-work of material and one of my personal favorites from Andrew).

From there on he continued to release fleeting singles. All in all, I hope Andrew Garcia chooses to continue making music and pushing himself artistically, because in my book he is a genius of a talent and still has so much to offer the world.

Earning ERNEST

Mainstream Country artist ERNEST (Photo Courtesy: Official Facebook Page)

ERNEST, (who originally goes by Ernest Keith Smith), is a new blazing force within modern Country Music. he first gained recognition writing for other artists like Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Sam Hunt, and Florida Georgia Line to name a few— but it wasn’t until his own artistry was discovered by Big Loud Records executive Scott Borchetta, and soon thereafter was signed in 2017 to Big Machine where he released his much anticipated debut single “Cheers”. He’s already achieved a few accolades to his name, including 2x CMA Triple-Play Award win, and making his Grande Ole Opry debut over two years ago, in January 2022 (even getting a friendly surprise from his fellow music peer Country superstar Morgan Wallen). His major label debut album Locals Only released across streaming platforms on October 2019, followed by his Sophomore effort LP Flower Shops in March of 2022. He says in his writing adventures of with some of his closest peers, in a YouTube interview, “With Morgan, we just became friends immediately and realized we had played state baseball tournaments against each other during our Junior and Senior years… we just happened to also be doing music, too… and on a fan side, I get a taste of his fan base too in touring with him…”.

Now we speed up to his latest album Nashville, Tennessee. Ernest comments on the album, “It’s my favorite body of work yet. It’s not the first album I’ve put out, but I feel like it’s going to be the one that puts me on the map”. The album, obviously, was recorded in “Music City” and will release on all platforms, including in store copies, this month on April 12, 2024. The album will consist of a total of 26 tracks, including collabs with some of his favorite peers Jelly Roll (“I Went to College/I Went to Jail”), and son of Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, on “Why Dallas”. The album included pre-release of new songs “Kiss of Death”, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”, “How’d We Get Out Here”, and “Ain’t Too Late”.

His record is one of the most anticipated records of the Spring season. To add, the writers on his new album will include Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Rivers Rutherford, Country sensation Luke Bryan, Grady Black, Jacob Durrett, Raf Tenpenny, amongst many others.

Overall, this record is one that will light up Countrt radio waves and an artist that is already taking Country Music by storm.

Paramore’s Promise

Alternative band Paramore (Photo Courtesy: Google Images)

Paramore has intrigued me for years, with their flavorful, diverse Pop-Punk vibes and the vocal prowess of the sensational “Punk princess” of front vocalist Hayley Williams. The Rock band has sold 696,000 copies to date worldwide. My sister turned me on to their music when I was exiting high school and entering my responsible, adulting college years in 2008, and songs like “That’s What You Get” and “Misery Business” from their RIOT! album (2007) instantly had me hooked for the following 17 years.

Their music has transcended musical barriers — within Alternative Rock — and lasted a lot longer than your stereotypical alternative band nowadays. They are a special band to me, and Hayley Williams voice is the epitome of what Alternative Rock should sound like — (she’s right up there vocally with P!nk). However, the band has gone through a lot of ups and downs collectively: They exited their major label Atlantic Records and are now free agents artistically as a band. Brothers of the band, Josh & Zac Farro exited over a decade ago in 2010 to pursue other musical ventures, the remaining band mates Hayley, Jason Bynum, John Hembry, and Hunter Lamb chose to stick out their music legacy moving forward — and on top of all that, Williams suffered from a lung infection and took a short hiatus from recording with the band to heal vocally.

Let’s focus on their latest album This Is Why that released a year ago on all streaming platforms on February 10, 2023. But anyway, moving along. Yes, the new album: It’s Paramore’s sixth-studio album to date, as they are nearing 20 years of a creative musical catalog. This Is Why debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 200 Charts, and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The albums overall theme paints a picture of a paranoid anxious young woman looking outside of her bubble.

The album was produced by produced by Carlos de la Garza, as he is a longtime producer for the band. This Is Why was the final album with Atlantic Records, as their contract has now ended, and their first-comeback album in 6 years since 2017’s After Laughter. This comeback also voices a cry to their fans that not only have they comeback with a more mature sound, but also voices a cry of an anxiety-fueled take on living in today’s society. Hayley says to The Harvard Crimson article, “We don’t want to be a nostalgia band”, as the record across the board for a lot of fans and listeners feels like the most natural-sounding band. Overall, you need to check out This Is Why, because it’s one that I have throughly enjoyed.

Stompin’ Scotty McCreery

Mainstream Country artist Scotty McCreery (Photo Courtesy: Official Facebook Page)

If you’re looking for an artist who is “stomping the charts” in Country music, especially in the next generation coming up, look no further than Scotty McCreery. He’s one of the most beloved artists of today’s popular Country, and has now become a successful songwriter, alongside his impressive artistry. After four studio albums under his belt and a few awards here and there racked up — he won two BMI Country Awards, and even “Best New Artist” over a decade ago at the 2012 Academy of Country. Music Awards — he arrived in 2022 with “SAME TRUCK”.

Now, McCreery returns with his fifth full LP SAME TRUCK, and released in September 2021, Triple Tigers Recording/ Sony Entertainment. His lead single, “You Time”, reached No. 1 on the U.S. Country Airplay Charts, including his fifth consecutive No. 1 single is “Damn Strait” — with these No. 1’s under his career built for well over a decade now, these are the new songs that have helped Scotty reach new career heights. The album went to be certified Gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).

Scott quoted to BILLBOARD in 2021 of the album process, “We had a lot of an album ready to go before the pandemic and, if I’m being honest, I didn’t feel I was writing my best stuff — I didn’t think I had a ‘Five More Minutes’ or a ‘This Is It’ here… [from Seasons Change]…”. He also adds about the song “Damn Strait”, “It’s a country take on ‘we’re all on the same team here.’ I’ve realized we’re all more alike than we are different. If people could build each other up instead of tear each other down, the world would be a better place. We took that thought and made it into a country song.” SAME TRUCK is his best one to date, and a record that echoes McCreery’s passion and love for his wife and home state of North Carolina.

His sound comes across a lot more mature, resonating, confident, and assuring. He adds to BILLBOARD, “A lot of my records have looked ahead, and this one is more in the moment. It looks at how awesome things have been and how grateful I am”. Furthermore, the album co-writers are Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips, and Zach Crowell — and SAME TRUCK is a Scotty McCreery album, that I strongly believe, will stand the test of time, and still remain relevant 25 years from now. Scotty’s sound and tone is timeless, yet still current and he’s one of my top picks right now in the new wave of next-gen Country acts.

USHER is ‘Coming Home’

Multi-Platnoum mainstream R&B icon USHER Photo Courtesy: Billboard / Google Images).

From the early 90’s to now, USHER-Raymond has been a legendary pioneer for the past 30 years in the R&B/Soul genre that has helped transform the landscape of Soul and R&B into the futuristic, dance-club sound it is today — while still remaining relevant even at 45, and continuing to influence the next generation of artists coming up in today’s music business.

Raymond tells Billboard in a recent interview, “I’m very happy that there’s a new installation of R&B artists who care to be authentic to what they are creating, inspired by artists of the past,” he said. “Everybody who has ever said to me that R&B is dead sounds crazy. Especially when I know the origins of R&B are in all other genres of music”. USHER is one of the most revered voices in popular music and all-genres today. USHER has sold more than 65 millions albums worldwide, had a successful Las Vegas Residency, and is an 8-time GRAMMY award winner, (a few achievements amongst his countless of other prestigious accolades). But let’s focus on his newest LP, COMING HOME his first album in nearly eight years, 2016’s full-length Hard II Love.

For COMING HOME, USHER “cruises through every musical challenge”, according to the New York Times article in his latest effort, and I believe is his greatest album to date. His release comes just two days shy before his first-ever headline for Super Bowl halftime show, (that will take place on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas). The album is his ninth successful full-length studio record into his 30-year career musical catalog. The record is produced by long-time music producer L.A. Reid (P!nk, HER) via major label LA Face Arista / Jive RCA Records. His intoxicating, smooth R&B vocals take the listener through a journey of love with messages of a seducer, charming rouge, amongst many other topics throughout the 20-track endeavor.

To add, this album discusses through each song, a lot about transitioning as life from a once married to a now single man and the ins and outs a relationship brings. Usher’s ninth album features collabs with some of today’s brightest stars that include Summer Walker & 21 Savage (“Good Good”), The-Dream (“Cold Blooded”), Latto (“A-Town Girl”), and Nigerian artists Burna Boy (title track “Coming Home”), and H.E.R. (“Risk It All”).

You can download COMING HOME wherever you consume music on streaming platforms.

“Enchanted” Ella Langley

Mainstream Country Music newcomer Ella Langley (Photo Courtesy: Official Facebook Page)

It’s funny that I chose the word enchanted, because this gritty Alabama girl is anything but having an “enchanted”, or girly personality. I meant the word “enchanted” more along the lines of Ella Langley’s career starting off “enchanted” going from Cinderella beginnings as a small-town Alabama native to name a binaries Country superstar.

Langley is a native of Hope Hill, Alabama and indeed an artist to watch, as she has just released her debut EP “Excuse The Mess”, officially signed with major label Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records (Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Kameron Marlowe). As well as releasing her first major label effort, Ella also made her Grande Ole Opry in February 2022.

The EP touches on a variety of topics such as heartbreak, failed relationships, unapologetic, among a few additional topics..She quotes in an interview with Country music article Whiskey Ruff, “Every aspect of me as an artist is portrayed in the EP. You get the storyteller side, the rock side, and the fun side. My music has something for everybody”. The lead single off her EP is “That’s Why Ww Fight”.

Ella’s career looks very promising, as she has already made her Grande Ole Opry debut in February 2022. I feel like we’re going to be hearing the name Ella Langley for years to come.

Is N’Sync Back In Sync?

Platinum-selling Pop group N’SYNC (Photo Courtesy: Google Images)

It’s nearing on 25 years since we last heard any new music from this legendary vocal group — 2001 to be exact — and, I truly feel Pop music has not been the same without these guys in the big mix. Back in the day, their hits like “It’s Gonna Be Me”, “Here We Go”, “It’s Tearin’ Up My Heart”, amongst countless of other hits — their catalog was truly one that shaped, refined, and made the overall landscape of Pop music what it is today.

However, all that faded when the guys reunited and came back for one new single, the lead-single “Better Place”, off of a highly anticipated children’s film TROLLS Band Together, a third-movie installment a popular animation franchise of the past few years; (demographic of families and children). It seem like a “one song wonder” kind of fluke to some outside listeners of the world; but a group who sold over 70 millions records and achieved Platinum status; it’s safe to say their resume is one that doesn’t disappoint.

“Better Place” song released digitally across streaming platforms on September 29, 2023, —days after the band reunited for the first time in over a decade at the 2023 MTV Video Mauic Awards. The single was written by Justin Timberlake, and co songwriters Amy Allen ( and Shellback (Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne). It has by far become one of the most popular songs from the last year, as the song gained more than 4.8 million streams digitally.

This is a song that will for sure get up on your feet and dancing all day long.

Just James Arthur

Mainstream Pop artist James Arthur (Photo Courtesy: Google Images).

He’s come a long way since winning Season 9 of the UK TV version of The X Factor, (another endless spin-off a reality -singing competition), and British lad James Arthur has since,been a force to be reckoned with as now becoming one of the successful winners of the shows. Arthur has released over 30 millions records worldwide, become a Platinum-selling recording artist, achieved two No. 1 Singles on the UK charts, and even won a few well-deserved BRIT awards over the years.

But let’s focus on his most recent album, Bitter Sweet Love coming January 26th across all streaming platforms. The lead single off of Bitter Sweet Love is “Homecoming”, a song that talks about healing from mental health, an issue he has struggled with and had to overcome in his personal life — so much so, that a documentary Out of our Minds was made about it, where through talking about his personal issues with anxiety and depression, James encourages his fans to talk more openly about their own problems with mental health.

The album was produced by accomplished producer Steve Solomon, (where Solomon was the same producer/songwriter who helped Arthur co-pen Arthur’s 2016 hit “Say You Won’t Let Go”) and will be released through major label Columbia Records (Calvin Harris, Dove Cameron).

By far, I think this will be James Arthur’s best album to date; as he has come a long way from his humble X Factor roots. A few tracks are already available from the new record, “Homecoming”, “Sleepwalking”, and “A Year Ago”. The soul that surrounds James tone, and the maturity growth in his vocals, is without a doubt undeniable and receptive to his millions of listeners. Arthur has one of the most well rounded, soulful, and powerful voices I think I’ve heard yet, within the Soul/R&B genre.