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GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Cailin Russo is entering a decisive new chapter with the announcement of her forthcoming EP DON’T, arriving March 11. The release marks her first major project since the viral ascent of her single Bad Things, which surged across streaming platforms after its placement in the finale of Heated Rivalry. The momentum has been impossible to ignore, with Billboard noting Russo’s evolution into what it described as “fresh, fearless music,” signaling an artist stepping fully into her creative autonomy.
Her newly released track, “I Can’t Help You Now,” captures that evolution with stark emotional clarity. Built on a downtempo pulse and atmospheric textures reminiscent of Portishead and James Blake, the song presents heartbreak as both rupture and reclamation. Russo’s vocal delivery balances restraint and confrontation, reflecting a narrative rooted in self-worth and emotional consequence. The release arrives alongside a major spike in listenership, including dramatic gains on Spotify and viral traction across TikTok, positioning Russo at the center of a rapidly expanding audience.
Russo’s rise has been anything but conventional. From early projects to tours alongside Shygirl and Madison Beer, she has cultivated a sound that merges pop precision with a darker, more experimental edge. Her GRAMMY nomination as a co-writer on Hurricane by Kanye West and The Weeknd further cemented her credibility behind the scenes. Now, with DON’T and a North American tour on the horizon, Russo stands poised for a defining year, one that reframes her not just as a viral voice, but as a lasting force in pop’s next generation.
