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Australian-born musician James Atlas is shaking up the music scene with a sound that uniquely blends intricate rhythms, introspective lyrics, and catchy melodies. His latest single, "Retail Therapy," captures the essence of his artistic evolution, reflecting a fascinating interplay between personal experiences and broader themes.
"Retail Therapy" was inspired by Atlas's visit to the Dubai Mall, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. "I was sent the arrangement after leaving that huge shopping mall, and I’d just never seen anything like it," he recalls. The grandeur of the mall influenced the music's feel, leading him to create a song that intertwines his observations about shopping with a commentary on his own "shopping addiction." He describes the song as a "hit of dopamine," emphasizing its upbeat and lively nature.
Writing "Retail Therapy" proved to be a cathartic experience for Atlas. He envisioned the song as an anthem, picturing how people might interact and chant it in a club setting. "It kind of became like an anthem" he explains, highlighting the fun he had during the creative process.
Collaboration was key in bringing this song to life, as Atlas worked closely with producer DJ Server. While Atlas contributed ideas, DJ Server handled the full arrangement. "You can hear the sound of credit card swiping and cash registers as little hidden Easter eggs," Atlas notes, illustrating the thoughtful details embedded in the track.
Atlas's influences are as diverse as his musical background. Having spent ten years as a drummer while studying jazz and playing in various genres, he draws from a wide array of inspirations. "I can draw from everything now," he states, emphasizing how his eclectic experiences shape his music.
The essence of "Retail Therapy" extends beyond mere entertainment. Atlas hopes listeners take away a sense of enjoyment from life, even when it comes to material possessions. He encourages a nuanced view: "You can kind of see it in two different ways," he explains. The song can be interpreted as a critique of consumerism or as a celebration of the joy found in treating oneself.
Since its release, "Retail Therapy" has garnered positive reactions, with interest from record labels and listeners alike. "People have said it's like a hit of pure dopamine," he shares, reflecting the song's vibrant energy and production quality.
Atlas's life experiences across different continents have also played a significant role in shaping his sound. "I lived in San Francisco for 10 years, and that’s definitely influenced me," he mentions. The city's diverse culture and vibrant atmosphere have broadened his artistic perspective.
As an artist, Atlas describes himself as "ever evolving," always open to trying different styles. His fascination with space also informs his music, as he incorporates space samples and effects into his songwriting. "I just became really interested in more of a lush soundscape," he explains, showcasing his desire to experiment with different tonalities.
Before meeting the producer who would help him refine his sound, Atlas's journey was marked by personal exploration. He started writing songs on the acoustic guitar after a break from music, rediscovering his passion. "I just started writing songs, and then all these songs started coming out of me," he recalls.
Support from fans, friends, and family has been incredible for Atlas, boosting his confidence and affirming that he is heading in the right direction. "Some of the reviews have been really insanely good," he says, reflecting on the positive feedback he has received.
Looking ahead, "Retail Therapy" is just the beginning. It will be the first single from his self-titled album, set to drop next year, with plans to release a single every month leading up to the album's full release. For Atlas, the highlight of his music career thus far has been the creation of this album, marking a significant milestone in his evolving journey as an artist.
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ON THE RISE
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NETHERLANDS — August 26, 2026 — Brook Lynn is stepping into a new chapter with “Love Your Enemy,” an atmospheric alternative pop song that turns an intensely personal battle with anxiety into a message of self-acceptance. Written after her America’s Got Talent auditions, the song captures the internal conflict of facing the person who can be hardest to silence: yourself.
Built around cinematic production and emotionally restrained vocals, “Love Your Enemy” explores the disconnect between appearing fine in public and confronting difficult thoughts in private. The song’s central message is reflected in its chorus, where Brook Lynn sings about being “my own worst company” before arriving at its most hopeful realization: “They say, ‘Love your enemy,’ / So I’m learning how to love me.”
For Brook Lynn, that “enemy” is anxiety. Rather than presenting it as something that simply disappears, the song examines what it means to live with those thoughts while refusing to let them dictate what comes next.
“I always want to give a hopeful message in every song,” Brook Lynn explains. “I always first want to explain what is happening in your head and what you feel, and then, at the end, give a message that you can get out of this, and that anxiety doesn’t have to hold you back from all the things you want to achieve in your life.”
That message became especially significant when Brook Lynn made the decision to perform “Love Your Enemy” on America’s Got Talent. Known by many viewers for her stripped-back cover performances, she recognized that performing an original song on one of television’s biggest stages carried a different kind of risk. But she also knew she could not continue forward without showing audiences the artist behind the covers.
“I just thought it was really important to also show the world that I’m not just a cover singer,” she says. “I do want people to know that I write songs and I want to be an artist and put that out there.”
Brook Lynn performed “Love Your Enemy” during the America’s Got Talent quarterfinals, bringing the song’s story of anxiety and self-doubt directly to a massive live audience. Her journey on the show ended there, but the response made one thing clear: listeners wanted to hear more. Fans connected not only with her voice, but with the honesty behind the performance and the willingness to speak openly about emotions many people struggle to acknowledge themselves.
“I do want to be that person with my music as well for other people,” Brook Lynn says, describing her desire to write about real experiences and feelings. “I always want to be really real with everyone, like talk about deeper stuff, not surface level.”
“Love Your Enemy” arrives as Brook Lynn looks ahead to Tales From The Woods, an upcoming EP intended to introduce listeners to a broader picture of who she is as an artist. With only two original songs currently released, she says she is excited to share more music and continue developing the sound and emotional world introduced through “Love Your Enemy.”
The song is not a conclusion to Brook Lynn’s story. It is the beginning of a more open one—one where anxiety can be acknowledged without being allowed to take control, and where the feelings people are often afraid to say out loud can finally have a voice.
Listen to “Love Your Enemy,” which received promotional support from Starlight PR.
Brook Lynn creates music that feels intimate yet powerful, cinematic yet emotionally exposed. Blending atmospheric alternative pop with minimalist visual storytelling, her work explores vulnerability, isolation, emotional tension and human connection through a distinctly modern lens.
Raised in Wilp, a small town in the Netherlands, Brook Lynn grew up surrounded by silence, nature and isolation. Music became a private emotional outlet and a way to process feelings that were difficult to explain out loud. What began through stripped-back online performances evolved into a growing global audience drawn to her honesty and emotional depth.
For Brook Lynn, music is never just about being heard. It is about being understood.
thisisbrooklynn.com
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