Melissa Kacar

"serena joy" by Olivia Rodrigo As the theme song for her inaugural all‑female music festival, Daisy Chains Fields, Olivia released the incredible "serena joy", which is a cautionary anthem meant to inspire action and change for women around the world. All proceeds from the song, and from the festival itself, are going to numerous charities focused on advocation for and funding women's causes globally. She's already raised over $20 million, which is such an extraordinary feat. There aren't many artists with the guts, conviction, or foresight to pull off something this massive, especially something rooted entirely in helping people around the world on such a massive scale, but Olivia has always stood firmly on her morals and used her platform to make a difference. I've always admired her for that. Named after a character from The Handmaid's Tale , the song carries the mantra "if they do it to them, they'll do it to you", which is a re...

Raised on pop punk and bubblegum, 5 Seconds of Summer 's EVERYONE'S A STAR! is a sharp and at times satirical blend of everything the band has spent the past fifteen years building. Much of the record is rooted in the desire to poke fun at the idea of fame itself - both in the cultural sense of what it means to be a "rockstar" and also their own complicated relationships with being known in the modern age. They are fully transparent about all of the glamour, attention and darker undertones of their experiences growing up in the public eye. Now as they are entering their thirties, some even starting new chapters of marriage and fatherhood, they're able to now look back on the parts of their youth that they didn't have the space or clarity to process at the time.  For all of the cheeky, lighthearted moments, this album really digs into what it means to make it through the growing pains of early adulthood and come out on the other side of the struggles they may ...

2025 was yet another incredible year for new music! I narrowed it down to 30 of my favorite albums, spanning a wide range of artists and genres. Many of them are first‑time additions to my annual year‑end favorites list, which feels like a testament to how much I prioritized discovering and supporting new artists this year. Of course, there are some long‑time favorites sprinkled throughout, as well. Ultimately, this list reflects a little bit of everything I loved this year! This is always my favorite post to write and curate each year. It is loosely ranked, but every single one of these albums was truly the soundtrack of my year for one reason or another. I have covered many of them in depth too, so if you are interested in reading more about any of these, be sure to check out the links throughout the post and at the end. Enjoy! 💓 The Crux by Djo 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 suppor...