R&B singer-songwriter Mariah The Scientist hails from Atlanta, GA, and released her first studio album on Epic Records, To Be Eaten Alive, in October 2024. The album, which featured guest appearances from 21 Savage, Kaytranada, Vory and Young Thug, earned Mariah the first Billboard 200 debut of her career and a Top 50 placement on the Billboard R&B Albums chart.
The follow-up to her successful first campaign on Epic is underway, and began in May ‘25 with the release of the hit single, “Burning Blue,” earning Mariah the distinction of the highest-charting female soloist on the Apple Music chart when the song peaked at no. 1, and the highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, with a debut inside the Top 25 (and still rising). In an in-depth interview with Complex that’s already earned viral attention on social media, Mariah provides insight into her new music.
“[My] new project, that has taken many nights to put together, but it’s done,” Mariah said on the red carpet of the 2025 Billboard Women in Music ceremony in Los Angeles. “So, I’m excited to put it out.” Her tease of “Burning Blue” from the event kickstarted the song’s frenzy to the tune of over one million TikTok views. Mariah’s new album is highly coveted, and it is on the way.
Mariah’s heightened profile has earned her marquee slots at festivals like Lollapalooza and Governors Ball in Summer ‘25, appearances that continue the momentum spurred by Mariah’s headlining To Be Eaten Alive Tour, a sold-out trek through Europe and North America. In 2024, she toured arenas with Latto on the fellow ATL-ien’s Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tour, which brought the To Be Eaten Alive experience to legendary venues like Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas.
Mariah’s core following, cultivated through viscous emotional expression on her first three projects—Master, Ry Ry World, and The Intermission—continues to grow and helps position her as one of R&B’s brightest young stars. Mariah’s musical curiosity was born in childhood, exposed to a variety of musical acts by her father. “Coldplay comes [to Atlanta], someone that he was definitely playing for me as a child, and then I open for them,” she recalls. From there, Mariah’s journey took her to NYC via St. John’s University, where she studied pediatric anesthesiology. Though she halted her scholastic pursuit to chase her dreams as an entertainer, the “Scientist” moniker stuck with her. That said, it’s Mariah’s art that makes her unique.
Emerging singer and songwriter Ana Luna returns today with the music video for her latest single, “Dance in a Trance.”
Co-directed by Noah Hoffman, Will Curtis, and Ana Luna, the video takes place in a surreal bedroom set within a vast warehouse, blurring the lines between reality and inner emotional space. At its core is a masked man and a masked woman—representing Ana’s ex-lover and her past self—locked in a dance that unfolds as Ana (present-day, unmasked) watches, intervenes, and ultimately confronts her past. The masks serve as a powerful symbol of emotional distance and anonymity, allowing viewers to project their own stories onto the characters.
“I chose to keep their faces hidden because it’s not about any one person—it’s about the emotion,” Ana explains. “I want viewers to project their own stories onto the characters, not be told who they are.”
Rising singer-songwriter and guitarist Emma Harner invites listeners into her world with the release of “False Alarm (Live from Meg’s House),” a stripped-back live video performance of her stunning new single. The performance distills the song to its bare essentials, spotlighting the raw vulnerability and quiet beauty that define Harner’s artistry.
Anchored by interwoven fingerpicked guitar lines and ethereal vocals, “False Alarm” is a poignant meditation on homesickness and self-discovery. “I wrote it after moving from Nebraska to Boston for college,” Harner shares. “I was homesick, overwhelmed by the sensory chaos of the city, and learning how to trust again.” The intimate live version brings even more emotional depth to the track, spotlighting Harner’s lyrical honesty and intricate guitar work.
Originally hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, Emma Harner began playing violin at just three years old before discovering her love for the guitar—an instrument that now forms the backbone of her sound. Now based in Boston and studying guitar performance at Berklee College of Music, she’s developed a distinctive sound that fuses the intimacy of folk with the complexity of math rock.
Harner first captured attention with a series of viral videos on Instagram and TikTok, quickly amassing a devoted following drawn to her virtuosic playing, harmonic sophistication, and emotionally resonant songwriting. In 2024, her debut single, “When You Mean It,” premiered as a Zane Lowe World First. Since then, she’s toured as direct support for Orla Gartland across her 2024 U.S. and 2025 European runs, and has opened for artists including mxmtoon, Tiny Habits, and The Bygones.
Born, raised, and based in Los Angeles CA, Gabriella Zauna has proven to be a jack of many trades. At just 19 years old, she has emerged as a multifaceted artist, blending her talents as a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer in the captivating realm of alternative dark pop, which she describes as pop music with a bit of an unstructured darker twist. A fusion of pop sensibilities with an evocative edge, she seamlessly weaves together melodies that linger in the shadows, inviting listeners into a world where emotions are raw and experiences are profound.
Gabriella’s journey into music began early, with the melodies of her soul finding expression as early as seven years old. Fueled by personal experience and an inner battle with herself, her art became not only a means of expression but also a lifeline during moments of deep depression. Through her music, she discovered a language that transcended the limitations of words, a conduit through which she could channel her innermost thoughts and emotions.
Embracing the role of a “one-woman band,” Gabriella takes full ownership of her creative process. From inception to execution, she meticulously crafts each element of her music, breathing life into her compositions with a rare authenticity and vulnerability. Her dedication to her craft is evident in every note and lyric, as she strives to create art that resonates deeply with her audience. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists such as Lana Del Rey, RAYE, and The Japanese House, Gabriella is enamored with the power of lyrical writing that transcends the conventional boundaries of expression. She revels in the ambiguity of metaphor, crafting narratives that not only engage the mind but also stir the soul.
Beyond her musical prowess, Gabriella possesses a rare gift: synesthesia. For her, each song is not merely a composition of sounds but a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and shapes. This sensory disorder infuses her music with a palpable authenticity, as she draws upon the kaleidoscope of sensations to breathe life into her creations. The color blue, in particular, holds a special significance in her artistry, serving as a visual anchor amidst the swirling depths of her sonic landscape.
With each song she shares with the world, Gabriella Zauna invites listeners on a journey into the depths of her soul. It is a journey marked by moments of introspection, passion, and unbridled creativity—a journey that resonates with all who dare to embark upon it. As she continues to weave her sonic tapestry, one thing remains certain: Gabriella Zauna is an artist poised to leave an undeniable mark on the world of music.
Star2 began his life in a Thai refugee camp where he was forced to flee genocide from the Burmese army in Myanmar who burned his village to the ground. A lottery in the camp brought him to San Diego with his grandmother and her four children, where he began a new life. Now, under the mentorship of esteemed producer Chico Bennett, his collaborations with acclaimed rappers include Soulja Boy, $tupid Young, Mozzy, MBNel, Luh Kel, Lil Poppa, HoodTrophy Bino, YSN Flow, and MarMar Oso to name a few. While not on tour, he documents his journey in the popular ‘Adventures of Star2’ series on YouTube. As an influential figure in Asian-American music, Star2 entwines heartfelt stories with captivating visuals, chronicling a tale of resilience and ascent. Esteemed platforms like Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, GQ, HotNewHipHop, Ones to Watch, BET, and Lyrical Lemonade, among others, have celebrated his contributions.
Virginia-born, multidisciplinary drummer, producer, and composer Nate Smith returns with his powerful new single “Automatic” ft. GRAMMY-winning vocalist Lalah Hathaway – released via naïve/ Believe Music.
A testament to his descriptive and shapeshifting form of contemporary jazz, “Automatic” instantly ignites with warm, retro-fitted keys and sprawling drum breaks in full effect, recontextualising The Pointer Sisters’ 1984 smash hit. Blending Nate’s rich, emotive musicality with Lalah’s hazy vocal harmonies, the track embodies an electric synergy that continues to bridge classic jazz sensibilities with glossy, experimental textures. The assertive and intricate drums pulse at the heart of the complex composition, building tension and release as Lalah expresses the desire for a newfound love that grows stronger with each intimate moment. Expressive, free-flowing instrumentation suddenly builds towards an explosive apex, before vibrant synths and playful vocal layers close out the record with a fluid sense of improvisation
– an innovative and intentional edge that affirms Nate Smith as a potent, and wildly talented artist in the jazz landscape.
Speaking on the record, Nate expresses: “The original version was one of those songs from my childhood that instantly transported me and opened a portal in my imagination. I was accustomed to hearing men sing in higher ranges (Prince, Michael etc) but not accustomed to hearing women sing low. The awe I felt listening to Ruth Pointer’s contralto was a revelation to me.”
He adds: “Lalah Hathaway is one of the greatest singers of my (or any) generation. Hers was the only voice I considered when producing this remake of the classic song by The Pointer Sisters.”
For Matías Roden, every sound and word on his records is rooted in a deeply personal part of his journey. Born in the UK, raised in Peru, and based in Vancouver, Canada for the past decade, he seamlessly blends disparate elements representing his diverse heritage—from reggaeton to breakbeat—with a synth-pop sensibility to create a global pop sound. Working alongside acclaimed writer-producer Louise Burns (Hotel Mira, Haley Blais), Matías released his debut EP ‘The Plea’ this past August via Light Organ Records, receiving airplay on CBC radio for the single “Close Your Eyes”, a track which, with its cinematic, unapologetically queer music video based on his own experiences, has helped him find an audience in the underground queer community in North and South America. After bringing his energetic live shows, mixing electronic and acoustic elements, to numerous festivals in Canada in 2024, he is gearing up for another raft of shows as well as the launch of his full-length debut album, expected late summer 2025.
Toronto indie rocker Brodie Christ – whose surname rhymes with wrist – finds himself in a nuanced position as a musician and artist: reckoning with the past, embracing complexity, and trying to be a better person, regardless of the state of the world.
The writing of Brodie’s latest songs arrived in light of a series of huge life changes for Brodie Christ: his father passed away, and his daughter was born. Christ developed some persistent health issues, which led to significant lifestyle changes, including giving up some vices, adding meditation and contrast therapy, and committing to an exercise regimen and daily Qigong. A prolific songwriter, Christ was capturing heartfelt song snippets all the while, and he noticed his approach was ripening with age:
“I used to think of the songs as an outlet, a means to share emotions I couldn’t express in my everyday life. But now, I need to really feel and communicate these everyday feelings as they come up, no matter how difficult. The songs can tackle bigger things.”
New York’s genre-blurring punks Oxymorrons are back with “Cool Being You” – a vibrant new single that dives headfirst into a dynamic fusion of alternative, punk, and hip-hop. Entirely written, recorded, and produced by the band, the track also marks the start of a bold new chapter, with Oxymorrons announcing their upcoming EP Create, Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat., to release fall 2025.
Opening with atmospheric textures, driving drums, pulsating bass, and delicate guitar lines, “Cool Being You” quickly explodes with gritty “modern punk” production, the sonic playground where Oxymorrons thrive. Trading verses that range from melodic crooning to swagger-drenched rap to guttural screams, all three vocalists bring an unmistakable energy and depth. It’s a natural next chapter in the band’s sonic evolution, one that builds on their roots while pushing further into the unexpected.
“This is for those who were told they have to fit into a box. ‘Cool Being You’ is about shaking that off and owning every piece of yourself,” says the band. “There’s freedom in being exactly who you are, and this track is the soundtrack to that energy.”
Fabrizio Cammarata is a Sicilian singer-songwriter whose music blends Mediterranean soul with indie folk intimacy. A true storyteller, he explores love, identity, and transformation through poetic lyrics and haunting melodies. Hailing from Palermo, he weaves his heritage into songs in English, Italian, Sicilian, Spanish, and other languages, crafting a sound that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
His new single “Asanta” is the opening track from his upcoming concept album Insularities. Co-produced with Dani Castelar (Paolo Nutini, Jordan Mackampa) and Fabrizio’s brother Roberto Cammarata (a triple-platinum producer and writer), the track was born not in the studio, but in a moment of real solitude. While walking alone through the hills of his ancestral homeland, Fabrizio lost signal and found himself singing a chant that had been with him for years. The melody had been haunting him like a forgotten prayer, until it finally found its voice in that moment of isolation. With no instruments, just voice and instinct, he recorded “Asanta” as a raw voice memo. “It was pure voice, instinct, intuition,” he says. “I started singing the chant again, and there — with no instruments or support — ‘Asanta’ was born.” What followed was a deeply collaborative process that transformed that fragile spark into a richly layered piece of music.
Fabrizio explains, “My songwriting is deeply visual – I always see moving images as I write.” “Asanta” was inspired by an imagined scene of his mother as a child watching a saint’s procession in 1950s Sicily, a vision that became a mirror for Fabrizio’s own questions of heritage, memory, and belonging. The song reflects themes of cultural inheritance, motherhood, and personal reckoning. It opens in Sicilian before shifting into a chorus in English, allowing different parts of his inner world to speak to one another. “It felt as though different parts of my soul were speaking to each other — not in a ‘friendly’ way, but still communicating,” he adds.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @frazer.live
