Pop

From One Direction’s career launch to Ariana Grande’s mainstream singles, Savan is responsible for many fan-favorite pop hits within the past two decades.

The reasoning behind some of the greatest songs in history never made it to the top spot on the charts.  Just imagine, hearing the same songs everywhere you go - at a bar, a mall, a grocery store, or the radio, and thinking that there is no way it didn’t hit the number one spot on the charts. The reality is that some of the songs that marked our middle school, high school, or college experiences didn’t even come close to that coveted spot.

Disney Channel launched many artists into fame and long-lasting careers in music and acting. Singing on Disney Channel was a given; if you had a show, you most likely also sang the theme song for it. There was even a time when many shows and movies were centered around music. This included the High School Musical trilogy, the Hannah Montana show, and The Cheetah Girls films.

Charlotte Sands expresses her personal feelings through her latest single, “one eye open.” The single “one eye open,” by Charlotte Sands, is a gloomy escape to freedom in which she paints a clear picture of her feelings through her lyricism. The song sounds almost dreamlike with somber undertones and a release of emotions through Charlotte's vocals. It is a direct focus on the anxiety experienced in an unhealthy relationship, being told directly from Charlotte’s perspectiv

Nickelodeon features a diverse range of shows, including cartoons and teen sitcom series. Their series range from wacky comedy-style shows to more arts and music-focused genres while maintaining the comedic aspect. Many great songs were derived from these shows. Although most were not intended to be more than a catchy intro song, a few managed to engrave themselves into pop culture and quiet longevity.

The name Justin Tranter holds weight within the music industry due to their involvement in writing some of the biggest hits for over a decade now. Tranter is not only a successful songwriter but also an educator and mentor to future generations of writers. They share knowledge about the music industry consistently, and when asked about their songwriting process, they seem glad to share what details they can.

Live music has never been cheap. But it has also never felt this inaccessible. Ticket prices are climbing. Dynamic pricing is quietly inflating face value. Resellers scoop up inventory in seconds. And fans are left refreshing screens, watching tickets triple before checkout, even loads. The frustration is loud. The response from the industry is not.

Nick Jonas did not ease us into 2026. He went straight for the feelings. “Gut Punch”, released January 1, 2026, is the first single off his upcoming album Sunday Best, out February 6, 2026, and it feels like a song you accidentally put on and then suddenly you’re staring at the wall thinking about your entire inner dialogue. Artwork by Steven R. Gilmore The song starts immediately with a soft piano and Nick’s voice sounding almost fragile. Like he’s letting a thought slip bef

More and more people are tuning into streaming apps like Spotify or Apple Music, rather than turning on the radio. It has become the norm to pair up the streaming apps to cars, TVs, and every device you can listen to music from. It’s easier to pay a monthly fee to avoid commercials, know exactly what you will be listening to, skip a track, or add it to your personal playlist.

Dakota Diehl’s “Falling Out of Love” feels like the exact moment when heartbreak stops knocking the wind out of you and starts lighting a fire instead. This song marches with its shoulders back, head up while saying enough. It adds strength to a woman scorned in the best way possible, not by making her cruel or careless, but by reminding her she survived, learned and came out sharper on the other side. 

Amy Allen is continuously reaching new heights in her career as a songwriter. The Maine born writer has accumulated numerous charting hits through her powerful penmanship. Her relatability is part of why artists continue to work with her repeatedly. She has said that she finds something similar that has happened in her life and relates it to what the artist is going through, in order to write the massive hits she does.

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano There’s something in the air lately. Girl groups are popping up and it appears they are growing in popularity. This phenomenon hasn’t been seen since the Fifth Harmony and Little Mix days, at least for non-KPop girl groups. The rise of K-pop in recent years has opened doors to many girl groups internationally. Blackpink held the title of the biggest female K-pop group and NewJeans was following closely with their rise in stardom until th

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano If something feels like it’s missing from the music industry, it would definitely be music video shows. Those shows that you could tune into just to catch the latest music videos from a variety of artists. There were countdown shows that would air the most popular videos at the time and although it could've felt like a competition for the musicians, for the audience it was a fun time to guess what would be number 1. A lot of music fanatic

Article By Ernesto Raul Aguilar Q101 kicked off its week-long Twisted Xmas 2025 series at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom with a high-voltage opening night that blended indie cool, alt-rock energy, and full-on pop spectacle. Three bands, each with a distinct voice and presence, took the stage and delivered a night that felt as festive as it was electric, setting the tone for the rest of the holiday concerts ahead. The evening opened with Los Angeles band Out in Front, who wasted no

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Lately, it can feel as though all artists do more than just music. The blending of professions is common since they can be fully established within different creative or business ventures. Being multi-hyphenate can be a way to stay relevant, have various sources of income, or pursue other dreams. Artists now easily launch companies in beauty or fashion as well as reach high levels of success as actors, podcast hosts, or entrepreneurs. Ima

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano The Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer recently released their album ‘EVERYONE’S A STAR’ which is filled with expressive commentary, reflective tracks and an almost theatrical-esque feel for a few songs. Album Artwork by Brian Ziff If you’ve ever needed a recommendation for an album to play while you’re out on a late night drive - this is it. ‘EVERYONE’S A STAR’ by 5 Seconds of Summer is the perfect mix of melancholy, vibey tunes and lyr

Detroit did not blink at the weather. Even with a snowstorm delaying flights and pushing doors nearly two hours past schedule, the crowd kept arriving. People bundled against wind and ice still chose to stand shoulder-to-shoulder inside The El Club, a small venue with the energy of something much larger. It was our first time shooting here, and stepping into a space without a barricade meant we became part of the audience instead of perched in front of it.

Cassadee Pope’s acoustic set at The Loft at City Winery in Philadelphia proved that a stripped-down show can sometimes hit the hardest. With just her guitar, her voice, and a room full of fans, she created a night that felt intimate, warm, and disarmingly honest. Cassadee Pope performing at City Winery in Philadelphia, PA - Photo by Rebecca McDevitt (IG: @rebeccajeanlimitedphotography ) She wasted no time diving into nostalgia, pulling out Hey Monday classics like “Homecoming

It’s impossible to not have heard the name Julia Michaels or a song written by this talented songstress. The music she’s written is internationally listened to by millions of people. She dominates the charts through catchy melodies, powerful penmanship and an overall grasp on feeling out loud.

The music industry is constantly adapting to technological changes. Social media has become the biggest marketing tool for artists. Cellphones are being held up to record every second of a performance. With the rise of viral sensations becoming stars, not all artists can decide whether they can start in small venues or go straight into being an opening act for the biggest superstar in the world.