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Acoustic Astronaut | Vintage Rock and Timeless Tunes for the Modern Ear

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Acoustic Astronaut: Do these words trigger a wave of nostalgia infused with the timeless tunes of the 70’s? If yes, join the club of loyal listeners who wouldn’t trade Dave Alyassin’s soulful audio journey for anything else. Alyassin is the real voice behind the pseudonym ‘Acoustic Astronaut’, a melodious mix of vintage rock and acoustic guitar symphonies that strike a distinct chord in the landscape of the music industry.

At the tender age of eighteen, Alyassin’s life took a significant turn when he picked up a guitar for the first time and began recording songs in his apartment in San Francisco. His talent drew the attention of professional guitarists, nudging him to take the music plunge. Little did he know that he was embarking on a lifelong adventure of songwriting and production, marked with sweet successes and bitter heartbreaks.

Now, boasting a songwriting legacy spanning three decades, Alyassin’s unique and heartfelt singles, like ‘Mystical Ages’ and ‘Dance Like a Ghost’, have reverberated through speakers worldwide. His buzz-generating unorthodox pop music, strategically layered over game-changing topics, continues to captivate audiences. Tracks like ‘Destruction Mill’ showcase Acoustic Astronaut’s ability to navigate diverse sonic territories while remaining rooted in his unmistakably unique acoustic aesthetic.

Teeming with a potent mix of artistic bravery and humble appreciation, Alyassin receives his validation not from the flurry of awards or acknowledgment from acclaimed avenues like VH1’s Save the Music Foundation or the New Mexico Music Awards, but from the listeners. Indeed, nothing swells his heart more than his music touching the souls of the audience.

Besides carving a niche for himself in the studio, Alyassin has had his songs covered by respected bands like J Ryan, Texas’ own artist, along with the original West Coast progressive rock band, Hands of Time, and New Mexico’s revered songwriter, Troy Garrity. His popularity even permeates the Worship Band at Peoples Church of Santa Fe, where he displays his spiritual side.

Alyassin’s musical journey hasn’t been without turbulence. Despite ‘Dance Like A Ghost’ receiving accolades like “Best Rock CD” at the New Mexico Music Awards, it failed to catch the public eye, leaving Alyassin disheartened. However, such setbacks never deterred him. From living in a warehouse post-divorce to curating his present musical persona, he has transformed every struggle into a melody of resilience and hope.

Nowadays, Acoustic Astronaut is redefining his toolbox, revisiting older hits while churning out fresh songs that resonate with his evolved essence. It’s a revival of Alyassin classics, awaiting an audience that’s ready to go on a new journey. Having recently produced his brand new single, ‘Just a Babe’, with the assistance of Stats Movement Records in Albuquerque, Alyassin is eagerly exploring new horizons.

Also, his underground classic, ‘Music Heroes of America’, has caught the attention of notable Nashville producers working with renowned artists such as Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, and Tim McGraw. The general agreement among listeners and music insiders alike is that Acoustic Astronaut is climbing toward something big.

Never resting on his laurels, Alyassin firmly believes that one’s abilities and life should never be taken for granted. Through his music, he hopes to impart a sense of identification and relatability to his listeners. Despite exploring themes that stray slightly beyond what traditional pop songs confront, his 70’s inspired rock tunes aims to strike a familiar chord with his fanbase.

Ultimately, Alyassin is not merely a musician but a humble man who championed his hardships with a musical shield, appreciating and accepting every sway of life. His music, marked by spiritual inspiration, is the expression of gratitude for the highs and lows of his journey that brought him to the attuned reality he now dwells. To sum it up, in Alyassin’s own words, he’s a “regular working guy” grateful for both his triumphs and trials, selflessly sharing it all in his symphonies.

Listen to Acoustic Astronaut and join his cosmic conquest at Acoustic Astronaut’s website, or follow him on Twitter, Soundcloud, and ReverbNation. Join him in a journey of self-discovery, honoring the past, and celebrating the magic of music one beat at a time.

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Popular Hustle.

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iurisEkero Proves Pop Music Doesn’t Have to Be Loud to Be Good

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iurisEkero

There’s something refreshing about an artist who doesn’t chase volume. “I don’t make music to sound loud. I make music to sound deep,” says iurisEkero, and after diving into his catalog, you get exactly what he means.

Born in Mendoza, Argentina, iurisEkero (stylized in lowercase, like his approach to fame) grew up in a house where music wasn’t just background noise—it was the main conversation. His grandfather recorded albums as a vocalist, his father played trumpet, and young Iuris absorbed it all. But here’s what’s interesting: instead of just carrying the torch, he’s completely reimagined it.

Now splitting time between the USA and Argentina, iurisEkero creates what he calls “sonic exploration”—pop mixed with electronic textures, ethereal vocals, and these atmospheric moments that genuinely make you want to hit pause on everything else. He pulls inspiration from unexpected places: cities at night, red wine, those comfortable silences between people who know each other well, and what he describes as “the glitch of memories.”

His latest single, “This Summer Night,” dropped on August 19th and perfectly captures that specific magic. At 3:17, it’s packed with synths that stick in your head and a melody that somehow feels both nostalgic and brand new. Other tracks like “The Sun, The Wine and You” and “Midnight Drive” show his range—each one catching different emotional frequencies while keeping that distinctive warmth that comes from his bicultural perspective.

The numbers tell their own story. Nearly 3 million Spotify streams. Over a million YouTube views. But when you mention this to iurisEkero, he seems genuinely surprised. “I don’t even understand those numbers,” he admits. “I just enjoy and am grateful.”

What he hopes listeners take away is simple: that urge to play a song again, whether you’re remembering someone, dancing alone in your kitchen, or waiting for something you can’t quite name yet. Even his breakup songs somehow feel optimistic—there’s always this undercurrent of possibility in his work.

Currently working on a new album featuring various guest artists, iurisEkero seems ready for whatever comes next. The sound explorer from Mendoza has found his frequency, and people are definitely tuning in.

Find iurisEkero’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming platforms, or visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.

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Alain Mékani Confronts Success and Solitude in New Single ‘Quiet’

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Alain Mékani

What happens when you achieve everything you dreamed of before turning 23, but there’s no one around to celebrate with? That’s the question Alain Mékani wrestles with in “Quiet,” his introspective new single that dropped August 1st, 2025.

The Dubai-based artist, who grew up in Beirut speaking Arabic with his mom and French with his dad while MTV played in the background, has been carving out his own corner of the Middle Eastern pop scene since his 2023 debut “Fool.” But this latest track hits different. It’s raw, honest, and uncomfortably relatable for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a room full of people.

Written during a period of professional success while living abroad, “Quiet” runs just over three minutes but packs an emotional punch. The track opens with Mékani reflecting on his younger self’s dreams—the car, the new place, all achieved before his 23rd birthday. But here’s where it gets real: “I left it all behind just to find myself / But am I really free?”

The chorus doesn’t pull punches either. When he admits “I’ve been going through some changes and my mind is fucking racing,” you feel that restless energy. It’s not polished pop perfection; it’s someone working through their stuff in real-time. The official music video, which premiered July 31st, visually captures this internal conflict.

“Quiet” by Alain Mékani

Family threads through every verse — and you can feel it. There’s the promise to make his mother proud, the desire to share his victories, and that gut-punch line about missing the people who matter most. The bridge transforms into something between a mantra and a desperate reminder: “Be somebody if you’re nobody.” It’s less motivational poster, more survival mechanism.

Since emerging with tracks like “Awlad El Haram” and his licensed reimagining of the Lebanese classic “Tallou Hbabna” earlier this year, Mékani has built a reputation for blending French, Arabic, and English lyrics with what critics call a “melancholic awakening” sound. Regional outlets including Musivv and Buro 24/7 Middle East have taken notice of his ability to pair cross-cultural production with genuine vulnerability.

The artist, who taught himself guitar after starting on accordion at eight, turned to songwriting as therapy following his father’s death in 2015. While working a marketing day job in Dubai, he spent nights and weekends learning production, eventually creating the demos that would launch his career.

Currently working on collaborations with Rayan Bailouni and Jay Janith, Mékani is pushing further into French territory with his upcoming releases. It’s a natural evolution for someone who grew up switching between languages at home. As he puts it: “I write in three languages because some emotions need more than one passport.”

“Quiet” is now streaming across all major platforms. Connect with Alain Mékani on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, Instagram, TikTok, and at alainmekani.com.

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Siren Built Her Entire Sound in Secret and Now She’s Ready to Surface

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Siren

The first thing that hits you about Siren isn’t just her voice—it’s the sheer audacity of someone who taught themselves everything. No formal training, no music theory classes, just pure instinct driving her to create something that sounds like Rammstein got into a late-night conversation with Lana Del Rey while Massive Attack played in the background.

At 24, this LA-based artist has already written around 70 songs, most still unreleased, sitting in her vault like secrets waiting to surface. Born June 13, 2001, Siren started making music in 2019, and what’s emerged since then defies easy categorization. Her sound pulls from trip-hop pioneers like Portishead, the industrial weight of German metal, and the cinematic drama of Tchaikovsky—yes, the Swan Lake composer.

“Every ache must be turned into art,” she says about her approach to music. It’s this philosophy that drives her self-described “raw confessions where melancholy meets beauty.” Her mezzo-soprano voice shifts between whispered vulnerability and soaring intensity, creating what she calls “cold waves of sound that mesmerize like a siren’s voice in the night sea.”

Siren

The artist’s journey started unexpectedly early. One of her most vivid childhood memories involves her grandmother singing Russian folk songs on a winter swing—an experience she describes as “blue, cold, wintry, dark, nostalgic, deep, soulful, and melancholic.” By twelve, she’d discovered Rammstein, which she credits with awakening “strength, courage, resistance, and the spirit of a fighter.” The band shaped about 60% of her musical taste, while Lana Del Rey, who she calls her “musical mother,” opened up the other side of her artistic personality.

What’s striking about Siren’s work is how she balances opposing forces. She describes her music as reflecting both her anima and animus—the feminine emotional vulnerability paired with masculine instrumental drive. This duality shows up everywhere in her sound: acoustic piano meets electric guitars, string arrangements collide with rock drums, trip-hop grooves support orchestral swells.

Her latest release, “Devil 2019,” dropped on August 3, 2025, running 3:28 and showcasing her hypnotic vocal control. But it’s just a taste of what’s coming. Her debut single “Siren Heroine,” released on June 13, previews her upcoming album “Blue Blood,” which promises an oceanic, siren-themed concept drawn from songs written three to four years ago.

Siren

Beyond music, Siren works as a visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer, creating her own visual concepts exactly as she imagines them. She admits to both loving and fearing the ocean—thalassophobia mixed with an obsession for deep blue imagery. “I reflect what I fear. I am what I fear,” she explains.

When asked about dream collaborations, she mentions Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, and Lana Del Rey—though she notes that most of her musical heroes are dead. Her approach to creation remains uncompromising: “I don’t write for people—I write for myself. Music is how I let you know me.”

For those curious to dive deeper, Siren’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, and her website. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok.

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