Well the week is almost over, but I’d be remiss not to include this post, so here goes nothing.

One of my favorite singer-songwriters over the past 10-15 years has been Asheville, NC singer-songwriter Lowen, the nom de plume of South Florida native Emily Kopp. She first came to my attention in 2012 when I first started plugging into the Orlando music scene and she immediately made an impact. She has a gritty, soulful voice that calls to mind Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Brandi Carlile and others. And if that seems high praise, just take a listen and enjoy.

Lowen relocated to Nashville a half-dozen years ago and recently relocated again to Asheville, but her time in Nashville made the most significant impact. She took to the town like a seasoned veteran. She’s got a vibey music studio, an ecclectic podcast and a musical catalog that has taken few, if any, missteps. Arguably her best creative venture is Midnight Riot, her co-writing partnership with producer/songwriter Justin Beckler. That project has yielded a litany of pop smashes that are as ubiquitous as a Bieber song. Trust me, if you listen to her catalog, you’ll recognize a song or two.

Her latest single “Wanna Be Free” follows on the heels of the stoner jam “Soaking in the Sun” and the 2024 release of EP Worst Case Scenario. And well, like most things Lowen touches, “Wanna Be Free” is utterly irresistible, effervescent and a perfect summer song. If this is your first time hearing Lowen’s name, give yourself an hour and dive down the rabbit hole. You won’t be disappointed.