'THE BURDEN' / MAE KRELL: REVIEW

August 6, 2026

by dan d’arpe

Singer-songwriter Mae Krell shines in her continued ability to craft songs which obliterate listeners, delivering a new single that is perfect both for the waning peak of summer, and an excellent introduction for her upcoming sophomore album, lullabies for the soul that stuck around. A project which aims to “come to terms with the fact that the hard things you went through weren’t necessarily your fault, but they are still yours to carry.”

“the burden” is both airy and poignant, delivering heavy introspection — and even heavier truths —that sit somewhere deep. Opening with a memorizing, dream-like combination of soulful humming and soothing guitar, the song perfectly captures a sense of being within a dream: both intangible, yet simultaneously vivid. Written following an episode of sleep paralysis, Krell’s poignant lyrics, “I have everything I’ve ever wanted, but I still can’t sleep at night,” shine a moving spotlight on fear, but not in a hysterical sense. Instead, it’s of a quieter quality, as much reflective as it is mournful. An opening line that truly feels almost timeless in how relatable it can be, regardless of age or circumstance.

With that aforementioned meditative melody in the background, the artist delivers a poignant vocal performance that reminds listeners that growth is not always linear. The lyrics reflect on issues of body image, and how trauma is something which can touch and effect life in far reaching ways, shaping how we view ourselves. A contemplative Krell admits, “I think the burden of being me / weighs less when I do / weighs more when I do” in a final send off that lingers in the air well after the track has ended.

“the burden” is the absolute perfect showcase for Mae Krell’s soft but powerful voice, which has an electric ability to be the perfect conduit to so many intersecting and crashing emotions. When mixed with the string section — which includes guitars, and gradually builds to include a soft backing of drums — the effect is truly an emotionally devastating (almost) 4 minutes. Yet it’s 4 minutes that is also unquestionably beautiful.

Three more singles are expected to drop before the album’s November release. And fans will have the exciting opportunity to Mae Krell this August and September, as she lends a helping hand to support Ethan Jewell on his Growing Together Tour.

OMEGA X: INTERVIEW

August 4, 2026

by martina rexrode

When a K-pop group takes a hiatus, it’s often a necessary means to begin their mandatory military service (in the case of boy groups) or simply a way to allow individual members to pursue their own projects. For JAEHAN, YECHAN, XEN, KEVIN, SEBIN, JEHYUN, and HWICHAN of OMEGA X, taking over two years off from releasing music as a collective was quintessential not only for their newfound identity as a 10-member group but also as a way to come into their own after a tumultuous debut five years ago. Unclear spoke to the group about the significance of their latest comeback, UNCAPPED, the unique involvement of fans in the creative process, and what their future holds.

First of all, I want to say welcome back and I hope you’re all doing well! In your own words, what has this hiatus made you realize or meant for you as both individual artists and a collective?

JAEHAN: “Right up until this album, I kept going forward without stopping with solo and unit activities to continue growing. And it really made me realize again that OMEGA X is happiest when we’re all together.”

HWICHAN: “For me, it was a time to look back at myself, and also a chance to grow more mature.”

SEBIN: “It made me think that we really shouldn’t have another hiatus like this, and that we should continue working hard.”

XEN: “This hiatus wasn’t an easy time, and eventually it became a time to really reflect on myself. Looking back, I think it was necessary to have the time to strengthen myself.”

JEHYUN: “Since we’re coming back as OMEGA X after a long time, I think it was a more meaningful experience that has let us grow further.”

KEVIN: “Just like the album title UNCAPPED, the idea of finally letting out everything we’ve been holding in really matched us coming back after such a long hiatus. It reminded me of this easygoing, ‘it’ll all work out somehow’ kind of mindset.”

YECHAN: “To me, it felt like I had no hiatus because I was working on activities to keep the momentum going for the team while waiting for our comeback.”

This mini-album, UNCAPPED, is your first release as a group in over two years. How do these five new tracks represent where OMEGA X stands now and how you hope to move forward?

JAEHAN: “Honestly, if this album hadn’t come out now, the hiatus would’ve stretched even longer, and I think we might have worn out. But with UNCAPPED out in the world now, I feel like OMEGA X can keep telling many more stories going forward.”

KEVIN: “We’re moving ahead, holding onto this mindset of enjoying life, just appreciating each moment for what it is.”

What are each of your favorite tracks on this mini-album and why?

JAEHAN: “I love ‘Life Detox’ the most because of its lyrics. I really hope a lot of people get to hear it.”

HWICHAN: “My favorite is the last track, ‘Life Detox.’ The lyrics are great, and its mood film came out so beautifully too, so I feel like it’s a perfectly comforting song.”

SEBIN: “Personally, ‘Cork’ is my favorite. I love the new side of myself in it, and I like that I get to show that side of me to our fans.”

XEN: “It’d be ‘Close to me’ for me. It was my first time working on a song from start to finish in the same studio as JAEHAN and YECHAN, so it holds a warm feeling for me.”

JEHYUN: “I love ‘Life Detox’ the most. It’s calm but the lyrics carry many messages, letting listeners really resonate with it.”

KEVIN: “My favorite is ‘Cork,’ and not just because it’s a unit track that I participated in. It’s dreamy but not too heavy, and light and deep at the same time. And most of all, the melody is just really good.”

YECHAN: “It’s really hard to pick one. We poured our hearts into working on all five songs.”

What was the creative process like with JAEHAN, YECHAN, and XEN each having their own contributions as lyricists and composers? Did these tracks and their meanings come to you easily or were some more difficult to construct than others?

JAEHAN: “The easiest one to work on was ‘Life Detox.’ The direction I wanted for the melody and the message I wanted to get across came to me very easily. The one that took the longest was ‘Close to me.’ Since all three of us worked on it together from beginning to end, we each understood things a little differently, so we discussed a lot to meet in the middle. That’s why it took the most time to finish.”

XEN: “Honestly, I find working on OMEGA X group songs pretty difficult. I feel like there’s a gap between the direction I personally pursue and the color of OMEGA X’s music, so working on this album wasn’t exactly easy.”

YECHAN: “When we were making the title track, I studied a lot more and listened to a wide range of music. I made an effort to break out of the rhythms and melodies I usually fall into, and while writing the b-sides, I could really see that growth inside myself, which felt rewarding.”

Your fans were also involved in the creative process, which is very unique. Can you explain how they were able to help with this comeback and the final product?

HWICHAN: “The title track was chosen through our fans’ votes, and we prepared the album following that style and direction. Since their opinions are reflected in it, this is a truly meaningful album.”

JEHYUN: “From our outfit styling to the unit song lineups and picking the title track, our fans helped shape big parts of this album. Getting to show up in a way that meets our fans’ direction and expectations made it a really meaningful experience.”

If you took a second to visualize the future you see for OMEGA X after UNCAPPED, how would you describe what you see?

JAEHAN: “I think we’ll still be happy along with FOR X. I want to keep creating our stories together.”

HWICHAN: “I hope OMEGA X becomes a group that spreads a lot of love and peace.”

XEN: “I think we’ll be traveling to many places to meet FOR X. I want to see every single one of them, without missing anyone.”

YECHAN: “We’ll probably be enjoying the rhythm and having a blast in front of many fans. I can’t wait to meet them soon!”

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DARVISHI: INTERVIEW

July 28, 2026

by martina rexrode

Within a modern music industry and fan culture that searches high and low for the next big thing every week, it’s always refreshing to witness an artist come into their own authentically and organically. Darvishi is one such artist who just released her new single “Jelo,” a seamlessly bilingual track about pushing through self-doubt to rekindle your passions and inner joy. With her hypnotizing vocals and an instrumental that commands listeners’ attention, Darvishi presents herself as the Persian Pop Princess we’ve all unknowingly been waiting for. Unclear spoke to her about this single, her creative process, her artistic evolution from 2019 to now, and more.

Congratulations on your latest single! Can you tell our readers and your fans a little bit about “Jelo” and the meaning behind it?

Darvishi: “Thank you so much! ‘Jelo,’ or جلو, means ‘forward’ in Farsi, and the song is all about pushing forward and rediscovering your spark after moments of self-doubt. I wanted it to feel empowering, joyful, and impossible not to dance to. At its heart, it’s a reminder to keep moving forward, even when life tries to convince you otherwise, and to reconnect with the things that make you feel most alive.”

The lyrics to this track are presented in English as well as Farsi, highlighting your Iranian-American heritage seamlessly. When writing the lyrics to “Jelo,” how do you differentiate which lines you’ll deliver in which language?

Darvishi: “I usually don’t try to force either language into a song. I let the lyrics come naturally. With ‘Jelo,’ I knew from the beginning that I wanted the song to center around the word ‘Jelo’ because the whole message is about moving forward. From there, I followed whatever felt most honest. Sometimes a phrase just sounds better in Farsi or fits the melody and rhyme more naturally, so I’ll write it that way. Other times, the thought comes out in English, and I leave it in English. I’ve found that my best songs happen when I don’t overthink the language aspect and instead let my heart decide. That’s what makes the blend of English and Farsi feel authentic rather than intentional for the sake of being bilingual.”

What was the overall creative process like when creating this single? How did you work together with your collaborators to bring your vision to life?

Darvishi: “I actually started writing most of ‘Jelo’ at home. I recorded lyric and melody ideas in the voice memos app on my phone, and once I had a direction, I brought everything into the studio with my producer, Korey Keys. I also like putting together a playlist of sonic references before we start producing, so we had a shared vision for where we wanted the song to go. From there, we spent about a week experimenting with different ideas, and that’s one of my favorite parts of the process! Nothing is set in stone, and we’re always asking, ‘What if we tried this instead?’ For example, ‘Jelo’ actually started out as a slower song. Once we sped it up, though, everything clicked, and we knew we had found the version that captured the energy and message of the song perfectly.”

Do you tend to pull inspiration for your music from your own life, your surroundings, media you consume, or something else?

Darvishi: “I draw inspiration from a mix of places. Sometimes my songs come directly from my own life, like ‘Jelo,’ but other times I tap into my imagination and write stories for the Persian Pop Princess and wherever her journey is taking her next. I’ve always loved fantasy and fiction, so I’m constantly reading fantasy novels and watching anime, and those worlds definitely inspire my songwriting. When I was younger, I actually wanted to be an author and spent a lot of time writing short stories. In a way, songwriting lets me do the same thing! I just get to tell those stories through music instead. I love continuing to build the world of the Persian Pop Princess one song at a time. I’m also really inspired by the artists I listen to, especially Dua Lipa and Lisa (BLACKPINK). I love watching their performances and seeing how they create entire worlds around their music, not just great songs. They always inspire me to keep growing as a performer and to dream even bigger for what the Persian Pop Princess can become.”

Where did the inspiration for “Jelo” come from? How do you see listeners finding themselves within the lyrics?

Darvishi: “‘Jelo’ was inspired by a time in my life when I was questioning whether I wanted to keep pursuing music. Whenever I’m overwhelmed, I turn to songwriting, and instead of writing a sad song, I challenged myself to write the anthem I needed to hear. As I was writing, I realized the only way through self-doubt was to keep moving forward and surrounding myself with the things that brought me joy. I hope listeners can see a little bit of themselves in that, because I think everyone has moments where they lose confidence or feel stuck. My hope is that ‘Jelo’ reminds them to keep going and to rediscover whatever makes them feel most alive! Whether that’s music, dancing, spending time with friends, or something completely their own.”

For this release, you also teamed up with Koja Cafe in Westwood, CA to create a drink inspired by the song. Can you tell us about this collaboration and how this idea came to be?

Darvishi: “Yes! It was such a fun collaboration and I loved getting to work with fellow Persian creatives. I actually met Tara, the owner of Koja Cafe, at a pop-up she was hosting at Diyar Concept Store. I tried one of her drinks, loved it, and asked if she’d ever be interested in creating a drink inspired by one of my songs. She immediately said yes!

The following week, we started brainstorming ideas for a ‘Jelo’ drink and landed on an espresso or matcha drink with rose syrup, vanilla bean cream, and a scoop of pomegranate ice cream. It was absolutely delicious! Since Koja Cafe’s pop-up was at Saffron & Rose that day, they supplied the pomegranate ice cream, so it ended up becoming a collaboration between Koja Cafe, Saffron & Rose, and me. I’ve always dreamed of having a signature drink inspired by my music, so seeing that idea come to life was incredibly special. Getting to celebrate the release with fans at the shop made the whole experience even more memorable.”

How has your artistic identity changed since you first stepped onto the scene with “Taste Like Summer” in 2019?

Darvishi: “It’s changed so much, but it’s been such a fun journey! When I first released ‘Taste Like Summer’ in 2019, I was still figuring out who I was as an artist and I experimented with a lot of different sounds because I wanted to explore what felt most authentic. Over time, I realized the music I was most excited about was the music that embraced my Iranian heritage. Once I started weaving Farsi, Persian influences, and my own experiences into my songs, everything clicked. And it felt so natural that I knew I wanted to keep moving in that direction. Creating the Persian Pop Princess has also been a huge part of that evolution. It’s given me the freedom to blend storytelling, fantasy, and my culture into one world, and it’s become such a meaningful part of who I am as an artist today.”

When you picture your career another seven years from now, what do you see?

Darvishi: “I see myself performing on stages around the world and bringing the story of the Persian Pop Princess to life through my music. I’ve always dreamed of creating immersive shows with elaborate sets; like castles, Persian-inspired visuals, live dancers, and storytelling that makes the audience feel like they’ve stepped into another world. I want my concerts to feel like more than just performances. I want them to feel like an experience, almost like a musical or a fantasy adventure. And along the way, I hope I can introduce more people to Persian culture in a way that feels joyful, welcoming, and celebrates its beauty.”

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LOCKING IN FOR LOST LANDS 2026

July 14, 2026

by michelle zigler

Legend Valley is about to feel the bass this September with another visit from Excision’s prehistoric EDM music festival, Lost Lands. Be ready to experience a massive lineup of artists, both bass music veterans and up and coming DJs steadily rising in the ranks. Some of these notable names include Subtronics, ILLENIUM, ALLEYCVT, Ganja White Night, Crankdat, and more.

Lost Lands has also released a separate early entry lineup, with two additional days of performances including Barely Alive, Chassi, and Caspa to name a few. Plus, a mega B2B2B2B2B2B pre-party which will take place Thursday, September 17th for all those early arrivers.

Each year, Lost Lands continues to make changes and updates for improving the festival, noting that there will now be 24-hour showers available for camping attendees, offering flexible payment plans and loyalty discounts for those who attended the previous year, as well as improvements to the venue structures and campgrounds with more signage, shade, and lockers available.

Lost Lands will take place at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio this summer September 18th - 20th, with early arrival camping September 15th - 17th. Visit lostlandsfestival.com for more information.

KADY ZADORA: INTERVIEW

June 30, 2026

by freya greenwood

Kady Zadora writes sad songs for people with excellent taste in bad decisions. It’s a sharp, self-aware approach that defines her debut album, Stranger, a record that manages to make devastating heartbreak sound a little prettier than it actually feels. For Unclear Magazine, I caught up with the rising artist to break down the reality behind her new single “Malibu,” her traditional country roots, and why a great song always survives the noise.

How would you describe your overall sound and musical identity to someone who hasn't heard your music before?

Kady: “I write sad songs for people with excellent taste in bad decisions and try to make heartbreak sound a little prettier than it feels.”

What originally drew you toward the country music scene?

Kady: “I grew up listening to so many different types of music, and no matter how many I explored, I kept coming back. Country music has a way of saying the hardest things in the simplest terms, and that's always been what I connected with most.”

Growing up in a very musical home surrounded by theater and the entertainment industry, how did that early exposure shape your approach to songwriting and your ultimate career goals?

Kady: “I think seeing the industry up close actually pushed me toward something more traditional. You learn pretty quickly that the business and the music are not always the same thing. But a great song has a funny way of surviving all the bullshit around it.”

Your song “Malibu” beautifully explores themes of reflection and love. Can you take us behind the scenes of what inspired this specific track?

Kady: “If I told you, I’d have to kill you. I’ll just say this: girl meets boy, boy leads girl on for far too long, girl eventually realizes she was in love with the idea of him more than the actual man.”

Who or what were some of your biggest sonic and lyrical influences when you were shaping your debut album, Stranger?

Kady: “We were all over the place, from Tammy Wynette and Roger Miller, to Brandi Carlile, Fleetwood Mac, Kacey Musgraves.”

Stranger beautifully chronicles the journey of falling in and out of love, both with someone else and with yourself. What did writing this album provide for you emotionally as you navigated those highs and lows?

Kady: “Thank you. Yes, writing it brought me a sense of peace. I got to process the pain through music, surrounded by people I love and trust. The heartbreak was just the catalyst, then the focus shifted and once the grief passed, there was nowhere else to go but inward. The record forced me to look at parts of myself I'd rather avoid, but you know what they say, life’s a bitch. And what doesn’t kill you…?”

If you could paint a picture of the absolute ideal setting for someone to experience Stranger for the first time, what does that look like?

Kady: “I think it would be an internal setting, when you’re really in need of something to warm your soul. And maybe a nice empty beach to walk while listening. With, what we call, ‘The Stranger,’ which is just a nice glass of whiskey.”

You’ve described “Malibu” as a heartbreak song that makes you want to grab a drink rather than cry in a dark room. How did you want to translate that specific bittersweet energy visually when you were filming the music video?

Kady: “Alcohol. No, but honestly, I wanted it to feel the way the song feels. Beautiful on the surface, a little heartbreaking underneath. Like you're having the best day of your life while at the same time realizing it's already over.”

Looking back at the project as a whole, do you have a personal favorite track on Stranger, and what makes that one hold a special place for you?

Kady: “Definitely ‘Stranger I Loved.’ That was the moment I could finally admit how broken I was. It was telling the truth about everything in the most unforgiving way, for myself, to myself. We all have that moment when we wake up from the spell, savagely rooted in the realities and can’t look at anything the same again. This was that moment for me.”

Now that Stranger is out in the world and you’ve had some time to reflect on the release, what is the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself as an artist through this entire process?

Kady: “I learned that I'll never stop learning, and that I'm a lot more comfortable admitting I don't know much. You just try to tell the truth and hope you're not full of shit enough for people to connect with it. The good (and bad) news is heartbreak is one of the few things almost everybody understands.”

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