Sad songs

You think you know an artist. Then they hand you something like this. "Heal" isn't the HAYLA you've been dancing to — it's the one she's been keeping to herself. And we're so glad she's finally letting us in.

Photo by Sasha Camacho Article Contributed by Fernando Flores Lexa Gates’s “I Am” unfolds like a conversation you don’t rush through. It’s an album that takes its time not because it’s unsure of itself but because it understands that self-definition isn’t something you arrive at all at once. This project moves with patience and purpose; tracing the quiet evolution of someone learning how to live inside their own truth. It doesn’t posture or over-explain. It simply exists con

Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Fourteen years ago, Mike Schiavo was performing in a small pizza shop in New Jersey, the kind of venue where the stage feels temporary but the ambition does not. Backed by members of Aaron Carter’s former touring band, the show carried an odd duality: hyper-local grit paired with a glimpse of something bigger. Even then, Schiavo sang like someone already imagining Los Angeles. Mike Schiavo performing at Luna's pizza in 2012 with a local

The sibling duo lean into restraint, vulnerability, and unexpected sonic turns on their most exploratory project yet. There’s something quietly disarming about the way Nat & Alex Wolff approach this album. It doesn’t rush to impress, doesn’t clean itself up for easy consumption, and doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: emotionally lived-in, occasionally messy, and deeply honest. This is not a record that begs for perfection. It asks for patience.

A first look into Sylvaner’s musical capabilities after making the transition from studio engineer to artist. Sylvaner recently released his first single, “Pentimento,” which is notably a creative output of talent. In this ambitious 4-minute and 33-second track, Sylvaner dives into his feelings about heartbreak with a soulful and enchanting sound. Not many artists release such a lengthy track to kickstart their career, but Sylvaner did…. and it works!

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

“i don’t like being left behind” opens in swirls and spirals, an ambient wash of synths that feel almost video game–esque. It is dreamy and atmospheric, yet it carries a pulse that instantly catches your attention. Leyla Ebrahimi’s voice enters with a softness that glows against the production. Even in these early moments, the track makes its intentions clear. This is indie alternative at its core, but it welcomes pop influences with open arms.

Kelly Reynolds, the rising New Jersey artist signed to Moto Records, opens 2025 with a single that feels like a deep breath and a gut punch all at once. “Ready Now” is her first release of the year, and if you love indie storytellers like Leith Ross or Madison Cunningham, she needs to be on your radar immediately. She has only been releasing music for a little over a year, but “Ready Now” shows an artist who already knows exactly what she wants to say. The track pulls you in

Photo credit: Jack Morgan (IG: @jackmorgan07 ) Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Photos by Jack Morgan Independent pop singer-songwriter...

Louis Knight is a singer/songwriter that leaves you with something to carry. British-born and Philly-raised, he first caught attention on American Idol, but it’s the music that came after that’s carved out his place. His songs feel like late-night conversations, the ones you remember long after the lights go out.

SoundCheck Mag sat down with Leith Ross, and we couldn’t be more excited. With new projects on the horizon and her upcoming album, “I Can See The Future,” she gave us a glimpse into a future fans will want to be part of.

On a late-summer Saturday night, the Skyline Stage at The Mann transformed into a time machine. Thousands of fans gathered under the Philly sky, ready to scream, laugh, and maybe even cry with Simple Plan. By the end of the night, one thing was clear: Philly was just a kid again.

If you’ve been paying attention to Philly’s alternative scene, you’ve probably heard the name Modern Culture floating around. The...

For anyone who's felt too much and said too little—this album speaks the language. JP Saxe doesn’t write love songs. He writes what happens after. The shame. The silence. The parts we think we’re the only ones feeling. Articulate Excuses is a tight, emotionally fraught collection of eight songs that dig deep, hit hard, and leave a mark.