“Even If You Can’t Save Me” comes on the heels of February’s single “Teenage Dirtbag,” a cover that put a hypnotic spin on the classic Wheatus track and transformed it into a cathartic reflection on coming of age and growing up queer. Tiiva continues this personal theme on their new single, describing it as a letter from their past to their future self. Continuing to stray outside the lines while staying true to themselves, the producer allowed their experiences to inform their writing once again.

“I wrote this after a camping trip to the mountains,” Tiiva shared when discussing the single. “We lost the keys to the car and ended up stranded, sleeping under an old oak tree by the lake.” Tiiva used this experience of getting lost to pen the single, stating, “I wrote this about escapism in love, rediscovering your own resilience in nature and healing alongside close relationships. It felt like a window of strength in vulnerability through all the noise of thoughts and the chaos that they create.”

1. "Teenage Dirtbag" – Tiiva

Wheatus' original "Teenage Dirtbag," released in 2000, chronicles feeling unseen by someone while you admire them from afar. And that feeling of pining, and of being misunderstood, is something artist and producer Tiiva wanted to infuse into the very soul of this track. They call the original "an anthem, celebrating how to just be yourself and enjoy it," but they put a dreamy spin on their version. "I wanted to cover something that I could sing about and be like, yeah that’s me, that’s how I feel. The lyrics feel hyper real, my first crush on a girl, feeling invisible in my queerness and wanting to be accepted, to be cool," they say of the track. And using playful, excited synths, grunge drum samples, and a layered, harmonic vocal, they offer their take on a classic that everyone can sing along to, but might be a little cathartic too.

2. "try again" – Cam Kahin

Photo by Fabiana Moreira

From the moment I heard Cam Kahin's "try again," I knew he was going to be one of my favorite artists of 2023. From his forthcoming debut ep, WHEN IT'S ALL OVER, we described this track as an "anthemic rollercoaster." Read more about it here.

3. "Smalltown Boy" – Orville Peck

For the first Orville Peck song I've ever heard, I have to say, this was a great choice. Bronski Beat's 1984 hit, "Smalltown Boy," grew to become one of the most classic gay anthems of the 80s, describing the deep loneliness of a boy who feels so misunderstood and ignored in his environment that he wishes he could just run away. Orville Peck's country-crooned version, recorded for his Spotify Singles in 2020, abandons the poppy synths for a guitar-and-vocal driven sound. Orville doesn't shy away from layered harmonies and adlibs, giving a new depth and desperation to the track, while still being danceable and very, very addictive.

4. "Parcel" – Grace Gardner

Photo by cassidyophotos

Grace Gardner describes herself as a "folk pop singer/songwriter," but Parcel seems to be a departure from her normal sound. Starting with a muted, almost despondent tonality before expanding into a deeply personal account of wanting someone who can't be fully there, the track feels bitter, yet still reflective, aware of how complicated romance can be. "This song was the tied bow on the closure box," Gardner wrote on an Instagram post sharing more details about the song. "I hope it's giving you some catharsis." It's part of a larger narrative on Gardner's EP, Peach, releasing today. I can't wait to get the rest of the story.

5. "LSE to LAX" – Carlie Hanson

A songwriter deeply in touch with her feelings, Carlie Hanson first caught my ear in 2019 with her single, "Back In My Arms." It was unapologetic in its yearning and its queerness, and as I delved into her discography I realized this was something Carlie does well, consistently. Her 2022 debut, Tough Boy, was described by Ones To Watch as "an album built around self-discovery in real-time." And, as she embarks on her first North American headline tour and prepares for the release of her second album, Wisconsin, just a week from now, Carlie is taking accountability. In her new release, “LSE to LAX,” she discusses how her character shapes her, and tries to apologize for the mistakes she makes in her relationship. With lines like, “Cant bring my walls down, built a fortress, that’s a sad life / I promise everything then take it back the same night,” she’s letting listeners in, trying to help her loved one understand her fear and insecurity. Wisconsin is Hanson’s home state, so I’m expecting similar themes of honesty throughout the album, and I’m excited to hear what else is in store.