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Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Let’s say the quiet part out loud. The reason so many artists are living off nostalgia instead of putting out new music isn’t just an industry problem. Fans play a role too. Across the industry, nostalgia has become the safest option. Anniversary tours sell out instantly. Full album playthroughs move merch. Entire festivals are built around who we listened to in high school. It works because nostalgia is powerful and comforting, especially when the world feels chaotic. Fans want to feel safe. Artists want to survive. And the industry is watching. Career-spanning moments like The Eras Tour from Taylor Swift or concepts like Five Albums, One Night from the Jonas Brothers prove how deeply fans crave familiarity. These shows are massive, emotional, and undeniably well done. But their success also highlights something uncomfortable: fans will always show up harder for memory than for risk. The same thing happens at nostalgia-driven festivals like When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas or the legacy of Warped Tour. Lineups built almost entirely around the past thrive because they ask very little of the audience. You already know the words. You already know how the night will feel. You’re not being asked to meet the artist where they are now, just to remember where you were then. That’s where the cycle starts. A lot of fans say they want artists to evolve, to grow, to be authentic. Until that growth doesn’t sound like the version they fell in love with. Then the comments shift. “This doesn’t sound like them anymore.” “I miss the old era.” “Why did they change?” Unless you’re a super fan, most people don’t actually want evolution. They want reassurance. They want the soundtrack to a specific chapter of their life, not a reflection of the artist’s current one. New music asks listeners to be curious and present. Nostalgia asks nothing at all. Artists feel this in real time. In ticket sales. In which songs get the loudest reaction. In which eras get celebrated and which ones quietly get skipped. So they respond accordingly. Why risk releasing new work that might be ignored or picked apart when leaning into the past guarantees packed rooms and instant praise? That’s how nostalgia stops being a celebration and starts becoming a crutch. This doesn’t mean legacy doesn’t matter. It does. Those songs earned their place. But when the loudest applause is always for what’s already been done, artists quietly learn where it’s safest to stay. Shows begin to feel like reenactments instead of living moments. The relationship between artist and fan stops evolving and starts looping. Fans want authenticity, but often only within very specific boundaries. Artists want freedom, but often retreat to what’s rewarded. It’s a shared responsibility, even if we don’t like admitting that. Nostalgia should be a bridge, not a cage. A way to honor the past without being trapped inside it. The most meaningful moments in music happen when artists are brave enough to move forward and fans are willing to follow. Maybe the real question isn’t why artists keep looking backward. Maybe it’s why so many of us are afraid to move forward with them.

Article Contributed by Fernando Flores Photo Contributed by 1824 / UMG During a press conference with Em Beihold, she opens up about her upcoming debut album, Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, set for release on February 27, 2026. Throughout the conversation, Beihold offered an honest look into her creative process, the themes behind the album, and the personal growth that shaped the project. Who is Em Beihold? Em Beihold is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who has built her career around honesty, introspection and sharp lyrical storytelling. She first gained widespread attention with “Numb Little Bug” a song that resonates deeply with listeners through its candid portrayal of anxiety and self-awareness. Since then, Beihold has continued to carve out a space that prioritizes meaning over labels, allowing her music to evolve without fitting neatly into a genre box. Her songwriting often uses playful imagery such as bugs, goblins, and unicorns to translate complex emotions into something tangible. Rather than serving as surface-level concepts, these figures help frame conversations around identity, insecurity, and self-perception. By pairing lighthearted visuals with thoughtful lyricism, Em Beihold creates songs that feel approachable while still carrying emotional weight. A balance that remains central to her artistry and her upcoming album. Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter is an album rooted in identity, intuition, and what happens when constantly adapting stops working. During the conference, Beihold shared that following the success of “Numb Little Bug,” she found herself in countless writing sessions surrounded by different voices and perspectives. Over time, that environment showed her that trusting her own instincts mattered more than ever. This album became a way of growing that trust. Beihold explained that once she sits at the piano, any filter disappears, which allows her to process emotions honestly whether that be through humor or vulnerability. Rather than chasing trends she intentionally leaned into the kind of songwriting that first made music feel like home. Drawing inspiration from artists like Sara Bareilles, Regina Spector and Lily Allen, Beihold focused on meaningful storytelling and emotional clarity ensuring each song had something to say. Several tracks on the album track back years. “Hot Goblin” began when Beihold was just 13, while “Brutus,” the first song she wrote after overcoming a period of writer's block, played a major role in shaping the project. Though mythology wasn't an intentional starting point, references to figures like Brutus and Van Gogh emerged naturally, helping her explore themes of comparison, pressure and the challenge of staying true to herself. A Sneak Peek: “Unicorn” and “Van Gogh” SoundCheck Mag was treated to multiple previews during the conference, including “Unicorn”, the third track on the album. Built around a piano-forward sound, the song explored the emotional contradiction of leaving a partner everyone says you're better off without while still finding yourself dreaming about them. The lyrics reflect longing, obsession, and the difficulty of letting go even when you know it's necessary. Photo Provided by 1824 / UMG Later in the conference, Em Beihold shared a preview of “Van Gogh” that begins softly before shifting into a faster, more playful rhythm. Featuring a piano section inspired by a famous classical piece, the song pulls listeners into Beihold’s lyrical world, mirroring the chaos, color, and curiosity that define her perspective. Final Thoughts: With Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, Em Beihold isn't trying to reinvent herself, but she's intentionally returning to who she is. The album feels like a collection of moments tied together by reflection, growth and learning to trust your own voice. As she prepares to take the album on tour, Em Beihold is stepping into this era with confidence and clarity. When Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter arrives on February 27, 2026, listeners can't expect an album that is thoughtful, playful, and deeply personal. An album that rewards those who take the time to listen all the way through.

The R&B singer released a 15 track album oozing with attractive melodies and risque lyrics that are easy to gravitate to. Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Photo Provided by Universal Music Group A Strong 3rd Studio Album Ari Lennox’s 3rd studio album ‘Vacancy’ is a real gift to listeners. With only one feature on the entire project, everything relies solely on Lennox’s vocals. This is an album that can be played in the background for ambience or with headphones on to grasp every detail indulging in a full escape. Ari Lennox has proven herself over and over through her various musical projects including mixtapes, EP’s and full-length albums. The entirety of ‘Vacancy’ is full of her lyricism and beautiful vocals. The input she had in the project goes beyond just recording the songs - she spent 3 years crafting this album and co-writing every single song. It is a piece of herself she is sharing with the world and it’s easy to be drawn to her sweet voice. Riveting Songs That Stand Out The 15 songs felt intentional which made the project as a whole cohesive. While the album is worth listening to in its entirety, there were a few songs that stood out more than others but it was rather difficult to pick favorites. “High Key” may be a short track but it’s easy to remember due to the catchy chorus and overall fun appeal. “Soft Girl Era” is equally as lively with an upbeat and relatable context. With these two tracks Ari Lennox demonstrates she can do Pop R&B well. Sitting next to each other on the album “Cool Down”, “Horoscope” and “Wake Up” are deserving of attention. Ari Lennox makes it sound easy, the way her voice glides through the tracks perfectly forming a balance between showing her internalized feelings and her musical abilities. Her only feature on this album is Jamaican musician Buju Banton on the song “Company”, a perfect blend of both artists' styles coming together. He influences the song heavily thus making it stand out, in a good way. Vacancy & Beyond As Ari Lennox continues to release music and experiment with sounds past R&B or rather blending genres with R&B, she grows beyond what she herself may have thought possible. Every single piece of work she releases is proof that she’s here and her name holds more weight in this industry each time. Photo Provided by Universal Music Group She has been releasing lyric videos for her songs as well as a fun mini series titled ‘Vacancy Motel’ with each episode being under 2 minutes. “Under The Moon”, “Vacancy” and “Soft Girl Era” all have music videos released on youtube and “Under The Moon” even has a couple live sessions by Lennox! ‘Vacancy’ marks the first full-length album since parting ways with Dreamville making this an important shift in her career. The album is superb, it is dripping in R&B vocals but delicately blends other genres when it makes sense to do so. Although nothing has been officially announced, there are high hopes for an Ari Lennox tour this year!

Rebecca McDevitt is the Chief Marketing Officer for SoundCheck Mag. About Rebecca McDevitt Co-founder, Chief Marketing Officer, East Coast Photography Coverage, & Managing Editor of SoundCheck Mag From Passion Project to Concert Photography For Rebecca McDevitt, photography did not start as a career plan. It started as a feeling. Her first camera, a Nikon D3400, was simply meant to capture her world: family, her dogs, and small moments she wanted to hold onto. It was never about becoming a photographer. It was about saving experiences that made her heart feel full. Everything shifted when she stepped into live music. A few local bands needed photos, and Rebecca, always curious and ready to help, picked up her camera and said yes. What she found was instant electricity. The adrenaline, the lights, the emotion, the way artists and fans reflect each other’s energy. It clicked for her immediately. "I fell in love with it on the spot," she says. "Live music moves fast. Every moment happens once, and then it is gone. Capturing something in that chaos makes it feel even more special." Shaping a Signature Style Rebecca’s foundation formed in the Tri-State cover band scene. Photographing Flowers for Taco and Light Up The Moon gave her a true crash course in the realities of live music photography. Bars and clubs with unpredictable lighting. Fast movement. Crowded rooms. Nothing perfect, everything honest. "I grew up in a small town where cover bands were the center of our weekends," she says. "It was not glamorous, but it taught me how to adapt and how to create something beautiful with whatever I was given." Those early nights shaped her signature style. Moody. Alternative. Emotional. A little gritty, yet full of warmth. Deep contrast, shadow, intention, and an editing approach that values authenticity over perfection. Her work feels like Rebecca, and that energy has connected with fans and artists across genres. A Defining Moment Behind the Lens Out of all the shows she has photographed, The Basement Yard Experience still stands out. It was not a traditional concert, but the energy felt just as powerful. She photographed the Washington, D.C. stop in June 2024, and it stayed with her. "It was very fan-centered," she says. "Watching people show up for something that means so much to them, and capturing their excitement and joy, reminded me why I love live events. It made me appreciate the community side of what I do." Building SoundCheck Mag: A New Vision for Music Journalism Photography opened the door to the music world, but Rebecca quickly noticed something missing. Smaller artists, behind-the-scenes creatives, and fans rarely received coverage in major publications. That gap is what inspired her and her co-founder, LJ Portnoy, to create SoundCheck Mag. "There are so many people who make music possible that never get talked about," she says. "Photographers, lighting techs, videographers, producers. They matter. And fans matter too. Fans create the energy that artists feed off. We wanted SoundCheck to be a place where everyone is included." SoundCheck began with a simple idea. Community first. Storytelling that feels real. A platform that lifts up the voices that usually go unnoticed. A Mission Beyond the Mainstream SoundCheck Mag aims to celebrate music in an honest and personal way. Instead of chasing celebrity stories, Rebecca and her team focus on rising artists, local creatives, and the people behind the scenes who shape the live music experience. "We care about the stories that get overlooked," she says. "Stories that make people feel connected. We want readers to feel closer to the artists they already love and discover the ones they have not met yet." Her long-term vision is to expand SoundCheck into a bi-coastal publication with teams in New York City and Los Angeles. She wants to build a larger creative network that continues to redefine what music media can look like. Leading SoundCheck Mag: A Multi-Faceted Role Rebecca holds several roles at SoundCheck. CMO. Co-founder. East Coast Photography Coverage Lead. Managing Editor. Each role touches a different part of the magazine’s heartbeat. Her responsibilities include: Leading the brand and marketing vision for SoundCheck. Hiring and mentoring a diverse team of creatives. Designing the visual identity and layout of each issue. Writing interviews, features, and press releases that uplift rising talent. Coordinating artist collaborations and partnerships in a thoughtful and intentional way. Her favorite part will always be discovering new artists and capturing their work through photography. She loves creating a space where creatives and fans feel supported, valued, and understood. A Creative Force in Music Media Rebecca is more than a photographer or a writer. She is a storyteller who leads with connection and emotion. Through SoundCheck Mag, she is building a home for artists, fans, and behind-the-scenes creatives who make the industry move. Her lens captures more than a moment. It captures soul, gratitude, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. Advice for Aspiring Photographers & Writers Rebecca’s advice is rooted in her own experience. Photographers: “Give yourself permission to learn. Your early work will not be perfect, and that is okay. Try new things, study lighting, watch tutorials, and keep shooting until you find your style.” Writers: “Write often, even when it feels small. Every piece builds your voice. Keep going. Your perspective has value.” Personal Favorites and Fun Facts Rebecca’s music taste comes from the artists who shaped her through every era of life. Some of her favorite albums include: "Lovely Little Lonely" by The Maine "Best Intentions" by We Are The In Crowd 'Manic' by Halsey 'Earthly Delights' by David Archuleta The Jonas Brothers have been her favorite band since she was a teenager, and photographing them remains her biggest dream. "If that ever happens, I will absolutely cry happy tears," she says. Outside of music and photography, Rebecca has a fun hidden talent. She once placed 9th in a state bowling tournament, a fact that always surprises people and makes her smile every time she shares it.

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