The Weeknd, the renowned pop star, who is also well-known for his acting roles, has now opted for a name change. The famous singer has gone back to his birth name Abel Tesfaye on his official social media handles. The ‘Starboy‘ singer, who is also set to make a mark as an actor with the upcoming HBO drama series The Idol, took to his official Instagram and Twitter handles and changed his user name to Abel Tesfaye, leaving his fans and followers curious.

The Canadian singer’s decision to change his much-popular stage name and his decision to go back to his birth name has left his fans and followers speculating that he might be planning to retire. For the unversed, the name change came a few days after the pop star revealed that he would like to “kill The Weeknd” in his interview with W Magazine. “I’m going through a cathartic path right now. It’s getting to a place and time where I’m getting ready to close The Weeknd chapter,” he said in the interview.

This has led fans and followers to believe that the singer might be hinting at his decision to quit his music career, with the name change. However, The Idol actor has not reacted to any of these speculations yet. But in his interview, he had hinted that his upcoming album might be his “last hurrah” under the stage name The Weeknd. It is yet to be revealed if he will continue creating music under his birth name.

During his music career, he has won four Grammy awards, had more than 45 platinum singles and albums and broken many music records.

In March 2023, the Guinness World Records declared him the most popular artist in the world due to the number of monthly listeners he had on Spotify. As of March 2023, the 33-year-old had 111.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and was the first artist to have 100 million monthly listeners on the streaming app.

“The Weeknd currently has almost 30 million more monthly listeners than second-placed Miley Cyrus (82.4 million)” they wrote in a press release.

IMF’s 3 in 1 top picks bring us a blend of genres to freshen up our brains. We have spiritual synth, slow pop and synth-pop, brought to you by Justin Mola, Moon and Aries and Jacøb. These artists are here to rough the feathers and mix it up a bit for our listeners.

Justin Mola – Better Days

You can feel the most nostalgic sunset behind your eyelids as Justin Mola makes you close your eyes with his latest release- Better Days. The track gently sways you in front of the warmth of your kitchen stove. Reminding you that sometimes home is you and even though it seems bleak right now, tomorrow is filled with the possibilities of comfort or at the very least, better mistook. Sinking his teeth into the act of self-discovery, Justin allows us to experience this number to the fullest. From the lyrics to the production, Every inch of the song embodies the sense of loss and searching.

Moon and Aries – Nothing To Lose

Moon and Aries are known for producing very distinct tracks that are a mixture of multiple genres. They are one of the very few collaborations that focus on spirituality and they do it with such panache. The vocals portray a sense of freedom and so do the instrumentals. They- the instrumentals and the vocals, play so exquisitely with the concept of push and pull in this number. They each take turns in the spotlight and dance in the background, highlighting and complimenting each other like true partners. What sets Nothing to Lose apart from the rest of their songs is that there is a sense of raw swagger to it. 

Jacøb – Secrets

Secrets embodies the feeling of wanting to pull your hair out with a situationship that no one knows about. Jacøb is a songwriter who has a pulse of his listener bass. This pop genre is a song that will be replayed again and again by anyone who is caught in the burden of a secret romance. His vocal delivery has us feeling pain for his frustration as well. So if you want a cathartic scream in your car as you deal with a secret lover, I highly suggest you hit the play button on this number. 

Don’t forget to check out our playlist for updates on tracks that are a must add to your playlists.

Welcome to IMF 3-in-1 Pop Picks. Your weekly dose of pop highlights is ready to be served. Indiemusicflix brings you three fresh acts every week to add to your playlists. The artists for this week include Rick Treffers, Matt Deangelis and Lauran Beth. Check out their music below!

RICK TREFFERS – HANG ON

“Hang On,” by Rick Treffers is a captivating blend of Folk and heartfelt singer-songwriter charm. The track’s gentle guitars set a mellow tone, gradually building with the addition of a strings section in the pre-chorus. The minimalist approach to songwriting is evident, creating a carefully crafted stereo field that allows the listener to fully immerse themselves in the song’s emotional depth. Rick Treffers, a seasoned European songwriter and self-taught musician, has been making music for over 30 years. From his early days with Mist to his solo career, he continues to contribute to the European indie scene with his unique blend of wavy indie folk and dreamy crooner pop. “Hang On” is another testament to his enduring talent and contribution to the rich tapestry of indie music.

MATT DEANGELIS – FREE AT LAST

Matt DeAngelis, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter from Southern New Jersey, unveils his latest alt-folk single, “Free at Last,” delivering a refreshing take on a forgotten late 90’s pop sound. The track emanates a relaxing and joyful vibe, weaving nostalgia into its fabric. With vintage warmth in its production, it’s a musical time capsule reminiscent of the good old days. Matt’s musical journey, fueled by a strong faith and a passion for climate change and mental health advocacy, shines through in this composition. His foray into storm chasing adds a unique layer, aligning with his commitment to raising awareness. “Free at Last” stands as a testament to Matt DeAngelis’ contribution to the indie music scene.

LAURAN BETH – ASTROLOGY

Lauran ‘Lauran Beth’ Murphy’s latest track, “Astrology,” unveils a dreamy and ambient soundscape, adorned with a playful pop charm. The ethereal production features Lauran’s high-end shimmering vocals, delicately interwoven with subtle synth pads and a reverberating steel string guitar. The song’s dream pop atmosphere creates a captivating auditory experience. Amidst the sparse stereo field, Lauran’s heartfelt lyrics prompt introspection. This indie gem stands out in the music scene with its raw vulnerability and universal appeal. Hailing from County Offaly, Ireland, Lauran, influenced by The 1975 and Fleetwood Mac, skillfully merges genres. Her musical journey, starting on YouTube, includes charity work and releases with Beardfire Music, showcasing her diverse talent.

If you enjoyed our 3-in-1 Pop Picks, don’t forget to follow our playlists for more like these:

IMF’s 3 in 1 picks bring some real soul and life into our pop playlist with brilliant performances from artists like James Spencer, Trash Pals and Melanie Cowmeadow! This is what we thought about their new music!

James Spencer-If

James Spencer brings his best self out while writing his music. It has real soul and voice, especially paired with his immaculate instrumentals. It is this whole feel that James Spencer creates with his melodies. There are a lot of layers to decipher, and his poetry makes this go down smooth like aged whisky. He also adds great harmonies during the chorus, which are the kind of glacial elements you need to hear. This breezy country vibe is the perfect set of tunes you need for our playlist, and yours too! Listen to the song here and follow him!

Trash Pals-Perfect Dream

This kind of music will make you levitate. Trash Pals create some great energies to dance and relax to with their latest single, Perfect Dream. The warm rhythm and styles that Trash Pals use lean more into the mood than complex melodies. Floating root melodies ring around to make a saccharine thread of thought to dive into. Perfect Dream links back to the main melodies many times, which makes it like an ocean breeze to listen to. There are some fascinating pockets, which you can lean into while absorbing the different layers they produce. It is an exciting song for sure, while having a buzzing tempo that you’ll find catchy!:

Melanie Cowmeadow-Dear Dad

An ode to a parent is often emotional to listen to. This is heard with swelling pride and feel in Melanie Cowmeadow’s latest single. Her poetic lyrics will make you float away, to a place that is nostalgic yet unique. As she thinks about her own father, it is evident how she has gone through deeper emotional pockets. She threads in and out of moments of journals and photos, and the simplicity of the melody makes it all the more heart-warming. You can check out Melanie’s song here and make sure you follow her for more singer-songwriter bliss!

You can check out our playlist here and give it a follow!

IMF’s 3 in 1 top picks have some pleasant surprises in-store today. Each song is unique and brings forth their distinct personalities. Today we bring forth to you, the energy of the three most unique and distinct J’s in the Indie Music industry. To start us off we an some easy and peachy by James Harriman, then we pump things up with some upbeat pop by Joshua Martin and to sweeten the deal with some slow pop by Jason Heeter

James Harriman – Lighthouse Live at Komedia Bath 2019

There is something enchanting about listening to the Live recordings of a song and James Harriman charms us all with Lighthouse Live at Komedia Bath 2019. The captivating and contagious energy of a live show is captured in this track. This charming song is what wins hearts over at any stage of a relationship. It is the perfect blend of heart and craft, enough even to swoon a rock. You feel the buzz of energy from both the audience and James as we listen to this delightful arrangement of chords. 

Joshua Martin – Sol Y Chela.

Get your groove ready when you hit that play button and as Joshua Martin bursts in with Sol Y Chela. This LA-based singer writes songs in English and Spanish and this release happens to be in Spanish. While my expertise in Spanish is little to none, I had no trouble letting the music take over the room. Sol Y Chela has the energy of the sea with it, it is laid back and beats come at you like the waves, suddenly and then, all at once. Joshua draws from the peachy vibes of LA life and the richness of Spanish culture.

Jason Heeter – I’ll See You Then

I’ll See You Then By Jason Heeter is the perfect breeze of fresh air that helps us catch our breaths after two high-energy songs. The track is a collaboration between Jessie Schupbach and Jason Heeter making it truly easy in the ear. The instrumentals are slow and really take their time allowing for the vocals and the themes to settle in. Allowing us to get truly get lost in the imagery that the song leaves us with. I’ll See You Then is filled to the brim with vivid and vivacious beats that are surprisingly grounding. 

Don’t forget to check out our playlist for updates on tracks that are a must-add to your playlists.