A is For Atom’s latest single “Enola” starts with a strong electronic pulse that is modern in quality without trying too hard. It’s the kind of groove you can imagine in an indie club or on a late night drive.
But this track quickly reveals itself as more than a beat. It’s built on a concept that feels both personal and bigger than one person. It’s a reflection on what we inherit, what we carry and what we can’t leave behind.
The Atomic Age imagery isn’t just a stylistic choice. It’s a metaphor for the way past decisions continue to echo. The title nods to the Enola Gay, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber that became infamous for dropping the first atomic bomb, “Little Boy,” on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. The aircraft played a decisive role in bringing World War II to an end. But this song is more interested in the fallout, in the emotional residue of growing up in a world that keeps shifting beneath your feet.
Mike Cykoski, the man behind A is For Atom, has vocals that very much sit in the center of the track like a witness to the story. There’s a sense of tension in them as if he is telling you something that he hasn’t fully processed. The lyrics move through scenes that are lived in – cruising through Fort Collins, the guilty of Catholic school upbringing, the adrenaline of rock and roll, and then reframing them inside a country that feels very volatile and unstable right now.
What’s striking about “Enola” is how it balances contrast. It’s nostalgic, but also anxious. It’s loud, but it’s not careless. It’s a song that wants to move you but it also wants you to think. It’s a critique of America, but it’s wrapped in autobiography which makes it that bit more human.
In the end, “Enola” is a strong new release from A Is for Atom because it’s not trying to be anything other than what it is. A thoughtful and bold song that sounds familiar but still manages to carve out its own space.
“Tossed Away”, the latest release from Matt Alter, is quiet, steady and yet painfully relatable. The song is about that moment when you realize that someone has been taking from you without giving back, and finally being able to put that feeling into words.
The music matches the honesty. Both the guitar and instrumentation do not attempt to steal the spotlight but rather allow Matt’s lyrics to really shine:
What really sticks is the writing. The lyrics aren’t complicated, but they are real. You can sense the frustration, the disappointment, the clarity that comes after.
“I was just your stepping stone.
You used me. Tossed away.”
In these striking lyrics you can feel the frustration, the disappointment, and the clarity that comes afterwards. It’s the kind of song that makes you nod and say, “Yeah… I’ve been there.”
Part of what makes “Tossed Away” work so well is the way it was created. Released as part of a single by single rollout, each track got its own space to grow. And you can hear this in the way it is deliberate, punchy, thoughtful but also unafraid to leave some thing unsaid.
About Matt Alter
A lifetime of music has shaped Matt Alter’s journey. From early school bands to picking up his first guitar after high school, music has always been a constant. Even when life and a demanding career as a surgeon took him away from it temporarily.
Returning to the guitar reignited his passion, leading to performances with cover and original bands in Richmond, Virginia, and opening for nationally touring acts.
Now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Matt Alter has released four solo albums, including The Bitter Pill (2020), Race to the Finish (2021), Did I Offend You? (2023), and an upcoming 2026 release, all reflecting a thoughtful and deliberate approach to songwriting.
Some songs hit hardest not because they are loud, but because they name a feeling you’ve been living with quietly.
ellakate’s “What Fun” does exactly that. Dark, moody and quietly self-assured, the Atlanta based artist delivers a song that is less like a performance and more like a late night realization finally taking shape.
Listen in here:
“What Fun” explores the emotional whiplash of a volatile relationship. The kind where you start shrinking yourself to keep the peace, second guessing your instincts and replaying conversations long after they end.
ellakate captures that headspace with a striking atmosphere. Her vocals are calm but weighted, as if she is already tired of explaining herself and the understated production gives the song room to breathe without losing its edge.
What makes the track especially resonant is how relatable it feels. This isn’t heartbreak dressed up for drama. It is the slow unraveling of clarity and the quiet relief that comes with recognizing it. The song taps into themes that many people, particularly women, know well – gaslighting, emotional fatigue and the moment you realize your voice deserves space again.
There’s a polished coolness to “What Fun,” but never at the expense of honesty. It’s the kind of song that fits perfectly into a solo drive, a reflective morning routine or the exact moment you decide you’re done accepting less than you deserve.
With “What Fun,” ellakate positions herself as an artist unafraid to sit in uncomfortable truths and turn them into something empowering.
About ellakate
ellakate is an Atlanta based singer songwriter with music that blends alt pop melodies with raw, lyric driven storytelling. Raised in a musical household, and currently a student at the University of Notre Dame where she also fences competitively, she channels her own experiences with mental health, identity and resilience into songs that are full of truth and vulnerability.
Channeling influences from Billie Eilish to Fiona Apple, ellakate is creating music that is bold, romantic and cheekily relatable. She is a fresh, authentic voice in today’s pop landscape. Whether she’s on stage, in the studio or sharing glimpses of her life online, ellakate builds space for honesty and connection through music.
For fans of emotionally charged alt pop ellakate is an artist to watch.
Fluid, immersive and deeply personal “CHAMELEON” exists in that liminal space between sound, movement and memory. With this release by GAB SAFA, it is a cinematic dance project that unfolds as a three part composition and short film – an exploration of identity, belonging and the power of transformation.
Drawing from her experience as a third culture artist, GABS uses music and visual storytelling to examine what it means to live between worlds, constantly shapeshifting and yet also searching for home.
In this exclusive interview, GABS opens up about the origins of “CHAMELEON”, the inspiration behind its hypnotic visuals and the deeply hands-on process of directing a film she envisioned long before the music existed.
Blurring the lines between artist, filmmaker and performer, GABS invites audiences into a world that is intimate and expansive. One that asks us not just to watch or listen, but to step inside and feel something we may not have words for yet:
1.Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualise this song specifically in this way?
CHAMELEON is a cinematic dance EP (released as a 3-part track + a dance version Radio Edit) about navigating the in-between – the spaces between identities, homes, and selves. Growing up as a third culture kid, I’ve always felt from everywhere and nowhere at once, and I wanted to channel that tension into music. It’s about self-discovery, belonging, and finding power in fragmentation.
I’m an amalgam artist at heart – everything I do, whether it be acting, writing, producing, directing, or singing/songwriting, is just another channel for creative expression.
Directing the film for CHAMELEON felt like the obvious choice and allowed me to merge my skill set into one cohesive experience. The short film is not your typical music video and expands the story beyond sound, letting the audience feel the journey through movement, light and imagery as much as through the music itself. My hope is to always create spaces that feel lived in. I want people to step inside my work and feel like they’ve been there before and felt something similar before, even if they can’t explain why or what it is about it exactly.
2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
The inspiration for the video came from my own background and experience, always living and shapeshifting between different worlds, both physically and emotionally.
I wanted to explore themes of identity, diaspora and self sovereignty, while creating a cinematic universe that feels immersive. Visually, the short film combines hypnotic, ethereal lighting, primal choreography and intimate close-ups to reflect the song’s emotional peaks and valleys.
The storyline follows a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation – moving through moments of uncertainty, tension, and liberation. Every visual choice – from set design to camera angles – was intentional, reflecting the interplay between the fractured self and the search for home, between memory and imagination.
By merging performance, music, and film, the video becomes more than just a song accompaniment; it’s a world for the audience to hopefully witness a part of themselves.
Displacement and longing for home isn’t just about geography; it’s an emotional condition. It’s the ache of being close to something you can never fully return to. I create to transform that ache into something communal, something beautiful.
3. What was the process of making the video?
Creating the CHAMELEON video was a deeply hands-on process.
In fact, I saw the film in my mind before even making the song and getting in the studio with my wildly talented music producer and composer, Kate Eberstadt. A version of the shot list already existed – literally moment to moment – as a visual story that guided the making of the music itself. I wrote, directed, and co-produced the short film, with my longtime collaborator and heart sister – director of photography Maria Raad – to ensure every frame told a story.
Pre-production involved storyboarding, rewrites of multiple shot lists, and visual concept development to align the music with cinematic narrative beats.
I love telling stories through visuals, and music adds another powerful layer. Directing my own video let me mix acting, movement, and cinematic shots all together into a seamless narrative. Filming took place over multiple days and locations, and we really got to experiment with camera movement, lighting, as well as different mediums to make the film feel intimate, immersive, and emotionally authentic. Post-production was a beast of its own! From the mixing, mastering, and engineering with my beautifully meticulous post producer, Matthew Tryba, to the video side with my unstoppable editor, Michael Gray—and incredible visual artist, Lucy London McDonald, who stepped in at the last minute to create the collages when they suddenly felt essential. I’m pretty sure my editor blocked me on all devices at this point!
Anyway, we definitely gave it everything, with long hours, work sessions spent editing, color grading, and syncing movement to the music, to create a multi-dimensional narrative experience where audiences can see, hear, and feel the story simultaneously.
Trust me: watch the film first and then make your way to the dance version Radio Edit (shoutout to fierce mixer AX.EL), to get the full intention and heart behind this project.
And reach out to let me know what you think. I always love to hear!
Amana Melomé closes out the year on a bright, soul lifting note with “Con C.ALMA,” a track that feels like both a celebration and a gentle exhale.
It’s the kind of song that fits perfectly into that reflective space between years. It’s upbeat without being frantic, warm without trying too hard and grounded in a sense of gratitude.
Listen here:
After several years away from releasing music, Melomé returns with a sound that’s joyful, relaxed and quietly confident. The groove carries an easy bounce, while her vocals glide with a calm assurance that suggests she’s exactly where she needs to be. Rather than pushing for attention, she lets the song’s energy speak for itself.
The title translates from Spanish as “with calm,” hints at the song’s deeper intention. By highlighting alma, the soul, Melomé frames the song as a reminder to move through life at your own pace, especially as the year winds down and reflection sets in. It’s an upbeat message delivered with softness – stay present, trust the timing and don’t let the noise rush you.
Jazz pianist Deron Johnson adds an elegant sparkle to the track, his playing light and responsive, giving the song lift without overwhelming its relaxed mood. The collaboration between Melomé and Johnson feels effortless, even more impressive knowing it was recorded across continents. Together they create a sound that is open, sun-touched and quietly celebratory.
“Con C.ALMA” works beautifully as a year end release. It’s a track that invites dancing and introspection in equal measure. It’s hopeful without being naive, joyful without being loud. As the first single from Melomé’s upcoming album Recalibration to be released in the new year, it sets the tone for what feels like a new chapter rooted in balance, ease and intention.
“Entropic Cycle” swirls into the room like a cold draft from a door you didn’t realize was open, bringing with it the uncanny feeling that something in the atmosphere just shifted.
ИΞOlicious, the 18 year old avant-pop experimenter from Glendale is already known for making music that feels like emotional weather, but this new single pushes that instinct into a sharper, stranger and much more focused form. This is the sound of someone willingly stepping into the mess and discovering something almost comforting inside the chaos.
Built on stacked panned violin recordings that bloom into something cosmic, the production moves like a breathing organism.
The track rises with star lit synths and falls into verses that feel raw enough to bruise, while airplane like textures buzz underneath as if the whole thing is in motion even when you’re still.
If there is a thesis to “Entropic Cycle,” it’s hidden in the contrast. In the push and pull, the optimism and dread, the night and the thin glow of the approaching morning. ИΞOlicious has created a pop track that behaves more like a dream or maybe a recurring thought you can’t shake.
What makes the song though, is its sincerity. For all the glitchy shimmer and lunar strangeness, there’s a core belief running through it: that everything matters. Even the parts that feel like static. Even the parts we wish we could fast forward through.
You can hear this philosophy in the way the track lifts, breaks and reforms itself – in the entropy and rebirth stitched together not as a contradiction but as the natural order of things. It’s the kind of music that feels like it was made at 3 a.m. not because the artist had to but because the night is the only time when these thoughts feel safe enough to surface.
“Entropic Cycle” is the opening chapter of the upcoming album LΞT IT BΞ ИIGHT, and ИΞOlicious is quietly setting the stage for something bigger – something conceptual, personal and defiantly experimental.
This isn’t just another debut single trying to get your attention. It’s a signal flare from a new, weird and wonderful corner of the underground.
Modern Mystery 
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