Melissa Kacar

Closing out Paramore 's 2009 album Brand New Eyes , "All I Wanted" stands out as a defining moment in the band's discography. It is a transcendent and emotional ballad that stands apart from much of their pop punk sound up to that point. If anything, "All I Wanted" is undeniable proof that Hayley Williams is one of the greatest living vocalists. The sheer intensity of her voice, the way the emotions build until the song's explosive end - it's raw, powerful, and perfectly conveys the depth of feeling behind its message. Originally titled "All I Wanted Was You", the song nearly didn’t make the album. Hayley wrote in a diary entry published in the Brand New Eyes deluxe release, "Just an 'emo' kind of day & I'm proud of the obscurity in the lyrics while still remaining pretty personal."  Written alongside Taylor York, the song emerged from an isolating time in Hayley's life. "I wish there was an actual story...

On this day five years ago, Taylor Swift wrote one of the most defining songs of her entire career, "cardigan". This song shapes so much of the underlying storyline of Folklore and lays the foundation for much of the work she created in the years since. Alongside the premiere of the "cardigan" music video in 2020, Taylor wrote, "This song is about a lost romance and why young love is often fixed so permanently within our memories. Why it leaves such an indelible mark." It remains a stunning example of her ability to blend wistful nostalgia with deeply evocative storytelling.  This song, along with the rest of what eventually became Folklore , emerged from the quiet solitude of the early days of the pandemic. Taylor created the entirety of this record alone at home, collaborating virtually with Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff , a particularly prolific and creatively fulfilling period in which she wrote two albums in close succession.  Folklore came toge...

At its core, The Crux by Djo is a heartfelt ode to the people that have shaped him, along with his family and friends that have supported him through every phase of his life. Musically, this album pays homage to many of the influences he grew up with, signaling a nostalgic return to the sounds that inspired his love for music at an early age.  Djo is the musical pseudonym for actor Joe Keery, who is best known for his work in Stranger Things.  He first released music under Djo (pronounced the same as his first name) in 2019 with his debut album, Twenty Twenty . The decision to create under a stage name allowed him to separate his acting career from his music, encouraging listeners to approach his projects without any preconceived notions or expectations. His first two albums, Twenty Twenty and DECIDE , were mostly made at home alongside his close friend and frequent collaborator Adam Thein. Together, they crafted deeply personal records that were bold, experimental and intros...

"What Was That" by Lorde Lorde summer is officially here! The lead single from her forthcoming album, "What Was That", feels like a true rebirth for Lorde as an artist. Collaborating with Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro for the first time, she's brought a fresh yet deeply emotional energy with this new song, and I couldn’t be happier that she's back. Listening to this gave me the same joy and euphoria I felt when I first heard Melodrama at 17 years old. It's hard to put into words right now, but this is such an exciting time for pop music and Lorde is one of the key voices that are really shaping this transformative and exciting new era for the culture.  "Egg" by Djo An early contender for my favorite album of the year is absolutely The Crux by Djo . Every song is incredible, and I can't recommend checking out the entire album enough, but one that really struck me is "Egg". It is such a profound and thought-provoking exploration of ide...