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Wardell’s Sasha & Theo Spielberg | The Siblings Redefining Shuffle Pop

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The long-awaited follow-up to their debut record, Impossible Falcon, was just released by Theo and Sasha Spielberg, better known as Wardell. The band was in limbo after the success of their debut album, Love/Idleness, in 2015 as they awaited a producer who eventually fell through. They were stuck for weeks during the waiting time but did not let that stop them from pursuing their love of music. They kept touring and focusing on their projects until they could locate the ideal producer to work on their second album.

Their self-described genre of “shuffle pop.” is continued on the seven-track, just over the 20-minute long record. The duo has skillfully merged various styles and genres to produce a distinctive sound that sticks out from the competition. In a recent interview with Flaunt, they discussed the challenges they encountered while recording their album while living on different coasts. Despite the difficulties, they made it work because of their prior communication through audio notes, even when they were neighbors just a few doors apart.

Impossible Falcon is the record’s name, inspired by a poem about Autumn that Sasha sent to Theo as he was en route to see a friend’s performance. When they came across the phrase “Impossible Falcon” in the poem, they realized it was the ideal album title. The title, they explained in the interview, symbolized the challenge of launching the record. They experienced many halts and oscillations while creating the record, but they excelled once they found their groove.

A Breakup Album with a Rebirth

The album is a type of breakup album, reflecting the painful splits that both Theo and Sasha went through. They did add that the record also symbolizes a rebirth. They developed a new respect for their music and sibling relationship due to the challenges they encountered during the recording process. The album signifies a fresh start for the group, a new commencement, and new optimism for the future.

Influences and Musical Background

Wardell has a distinctive musical heritage thanks to their parents, who are well-known in the movie business. While they were growing up, their father, the renowned director Steven Spielberg, would play movie scores, which influenced their passion for music. Their grandmother Lee was a talented pianist, and their mother, the actress Kate Capshaw, also had a fine voice. Even Lee’s father, their great-grandpa, was a fantastic guitarist.

Wardell always understood that their parents’ true passion lay in music despite their successful careers in the film industry. Sasha began acting in high school and continued through college, but her love for singing always came first. She earned a degree in literature and screenplay and created a TV program that ABC purchased. But she knew that her love of music was her only real passion. Before starting Wardell with his sister, Theo worked as an audio curator for Saturday Night Live.

Sibling Rivalry and Chemistry

Theo and Sasha are not your usual brother-sister team. Although they don’t always sound the same and don’t always appear the same, they have an undeniable chemistry on stage. When questioned about sibling rivalry, they admitted that because they shared many interests and were so close in age, it frequently felt like they were on the same side. It was more of an alliance between them than much of a competition because they would cooperate at family events.

The band’s moniker, Wardell, is a tribute to their grandfather, a jazz musician in the professional sense. Waddy Wardell was his name, and they chose to take on The band Wardell released their second album, “Impossible Falcon,” in late February despite having a busy timetable. The album showcases the duo’s musical versatility with various styles and sounds.

In an interview with Flaunt, the siblings revealed that the record was a breakup album, and they were both going through difficult breakups during the writing process. They persevered in the face of obstacles and eventually produced a document symbolizing endings and rebirth.

The duo has discovered what works for them in their songwriting process, which entails exchanging voice notes and ideas. They chose to be divided by a wall, even in the same city, so that they could concentrate on their creative processes.

Sasha and Theo are engaged in other musical projects besides their work with Wardell. Theo has worked as a musical curator for Saturday Night Live, whereas Sasha has her solo endeavor called Buzzy Lee. Both siblings deeply love music, even though their parents are employed in the film business. Sasha even mentioned how she struggled with stage anxiety in high school but overcame it by performing in school plays.

Even though their parents, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw, are well-known personalities in Hollywood, Wardell’s music has barely been influenced by them. However, the siblings have drawn influence from their father’s enthusiasm for The Beatles and his capacity for musical recognition.

Wardell intends to keep collaborating with other musicians and discovering new musical styles in the future. It is evident from the “Impossible Falcon” achievement that the brother-sister team has discovered a formula for success.

Theo and Sasha, Spielberg of Wardell, may not have the most well-known names in the music business, but there is no denying their skill and originality. They stand out from other sibling groups thanks to their distinctive style and songwriting process and keep pushing the envelope with their music. Wardell has cemented their position in the music industry with “Impossible Falcon,” and their admirers can’t wait for their next release.

Keep up to date and connect with Sasha and Theo on instagram, here.

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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