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Alex Aiono Shares his striking single “Played Out” ft. Jake Miller

Alex Aiono is ready to share his most honest project to date, starting with the release of his striking single “Played Out” ft. Jake Miller, due out June 25th. The fast-rising, multi-hyphenate is a force to be reckoned with. As a Pacific Islander (Maori Samoan,) music was an integral part of his upbringing and the singer-songwriter first got his start when he picked up the ukulele, drums, and piano when he was seven years old. Constantly striving to learn more, Alex started producing his own innovative covers of hit songs and what started as a fun hobby has since blossomed into nearly a Billion views on YouTube, 500 million streams, 6 Million followers across socials, Top 10 hits of his very own, sold-out tours around the world, and starring movie roles.

In this follow-up chapter, we see a side of Aiono that he has never shared before when it comes to his music. This new music is a full reflection of Alex here today; he is the record producer, writer, and performer. “This new era of music for me is special because I’m on an endeavor to continually reach deeper,” shares Alex. “With every release, I see more of me in my music. This next era truly will be the deepest I’ve gone yet, and as I live more life and dive further into who I am, I plan to share it with the world.”

In the intimate and intoxicating new single “Played Out,” glassy vocals packed with emotion usher in gorgeous, anthemic production as Alex muses on all the hardships he’s had to overcome in order to get to where he is now. He shares, “I think at our core as humans we consistently lose the forest for the trees when we are in the thicker situations of life. It’s not until you’re out of the woods or have overcome what it was you were going through that you get to see it all for what it truly is. Whether it’s love (as I refer to in the song), a career, a long term goal, or any budding and flourishing situation, sometimes you have to stop and appreciate how everything ‘played out.’”

a truly defining moment for Aiono” – Variety

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precociously experienced performer” – LA Times

a clear intentionality behind all of Aiono’s work” – Wonderland

“Alex Aiono’s ‘Her’ is for everyone” – PAPER

“Aiono’s Drake-like tone has us in love” – Billboard

Aiono has seen a whirlwind of successes over the last few years. He released the unpredictable hybrid album The Gospel at 23 in 2020, which saw him deep in the mix of gospel truth-telling, stark hip-hop swagger, alternative ambition, and pop bliss. The album garnered praise from the masses, from Variety and The LA Times to Wonderland to name a few, and has racked up millions of streams. Early 2021 also saw Alex star in the Ian Bryce produced and Jude Weng directed film Finding Ohana, which marked the start of another burgeoning venture for Alex.

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The uniquely talented Aiono has proven himself as a jack of all trades. From writing and producing his own music to his collaborations with artists like John Legend to Jon Bellion, to securing starring roles on major networks, we see Alex continue a soaring career that’s bound to position the star as a household name for years to come.

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Natalie is a journalism major with a focus on Entertainment and Music who aspires to become a Content Creator For Honk Magazine. Eventually, she wants to be the Publisher or Editor-in-Chief of a major Publishing House. She loves helping people find their voice and passion for writing and journalism, and she can always be found with coffee in hand, editing another article.

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Artist Spotlight

The Family Battenberg Shares a Raw Psychedelic Charge on Their Debut EP Spider Rock Forever

The Family Battenberg

The Family Battenberg make a bold entrance into the modern rock landscape with the release of their anticipated debut EP, “Spider Rock Forever,” a gritty, psychedelic-leaning project that instantly stamps their identity in today’s new-wave garage scene. Clocking in at a tight 19 minutes and 37 seconds across six dynamic tracks, the EP feels like a vintage time capsule that has been cracked open and reimagined for a new generation of music lovers.

Drawing influence from Ty Segall, The Black Angels, and the icy cool tension of Iggy Pop’s The Idiot, The Family Battenberg fuse fuzzy guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and an unmistakably raw vocal presence that pulls listeners straight into their world. The result is a sonic atmosphere that is both intentional and instinctual, chaotic yet controlled, perfect for fans discovering emerging indie rock bands and modern psychedelic artists.

“Friend of Mine” is an emotionally charged groove that exudes warmth despite its distortion. “Anteater” is a gritty, driving song that showcases the band’s natural chemistry and willingness to experiment. Together, these songs highlight the EP’s purpose: to introduce The Family Battenberg’s unique flavor of rock while capturing the urgency of a band defining its place in real time.

With Spider Rock Forever, The Family Battenberg delivers a debut that’s punchy, passionate, and unapologetically loud, an EP curated for music blogs, rock tastemakers, and listeners searching for their next rising-artist discovery. This is a declaration that The Family Battenberg is here to carve out their own lane, one electrified track at a time.

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Artist Spotlight

Jeppediinho Unlocks a New Era of Melodic EDM Brilliance With His Captivating New Album “Games of Life”

Jeppediinho

Jeppediinho‘s new album, Games of Life, is a 46-minute, 13-track journey through self-discovery, freedom, and the highs and lows that shape us. It is powerful, emotionally charged, and uplifting. Jeppediinho makes an album that is full of melodic storytelling and dance-floor-ready energy by mixing the sounds that shaped his childhood, like Avicii’s euphoric style and the golden age of house music.

Four great singles set the tone for what listeners could expect before the full release. Emotion, movement, and meaning. “Feels So Good,” the new lead track, is filled with joy and captures the moment when you finally feel alive again after battling your own demons. The first song on the album is warm, melodic, and catchy, drawing listeners quickly into Jeppediinho’s world. “Lost in My Mind” is another excellent song that seamlessly blends melodic EDM energy with heartfelt lyrics. The song is about overthinking and how to get out of your own head.

Its atmospheric build and punchy drop make it one of the most relatable and energizing songs on the album. “What’s Your Mentality?” is a fast-paced song by Jeppediinho that maintains momentum. It talks about mental strength, determination, and resilience.

With its strong drop and uplifting production, it gives the album’s emotional arc a boost of motivation. After listening to the entire album, two songs immediately stood out: “Find Myself” and “Coming Back.” These songs add emotional depth to the project’s themes of personal growth and returning to your true self.  They also show Jeppediinho’s ability to balance introspection with high-energy production. Games of Life is a musical diary of our victories, failures, and the times that shape who we are.

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