The story behind Cassidy Johnson’s latest single isn’t just about a crush—it’s about the sound of one. The Berklee College of Music artist has released “Crush,” a track that transforms the flutter of attraction into a richly layered pop and R&B experience, entirely from the inside out.
Berklee artist Cassidy Johnson follows her NPR Central Florida Tiny Desk Showcase with “Crush,” a dreamy dive into falling for a girl.
It’s rare to find a young soul musician with so much emotional depth.”— ALFITUDE, reviewing “The Song I Promised”ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, November 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Before she can get the girl out of her head, Cassidy Johnson lets listeners inside it. Inspired by a girl she met at Berklee College of Music, her new single “Crush” turns the rush of attraction into dreamy pop and R&B, with a warm funk groove, touches of neo-soul, and every vocal layer sung by Johnson herself.
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Released on November 14, the single arrives on the heels of a notable achievement: Johnson was one of just five audience-voted acts selected for Central Florida Public Media’s 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Contest Showcase at The Beacham in Orlando. Her entry featured a live performance of her earlier track “The Song I Promised.” Meanwhile, her music has already drawn attention from outlets including Alfitude, Ratings Game Music, Conversations About Her, and the French publication Extravafrench.
Alfitude praised Johnson’s “smooth, velvety vocals” and emphasized the emotional depth woven into her songwriting.
Johnson has also been expanding her visual storytelling. The official music video for her track “Come Over,” featuring rapper yungfuego, uses choreography, performance, and cinematic imagery to extend the narrative beyond the recording. That video complements a growing catalog—including songs like “Woman Like You”—that explores love, identity, heartbreak, and self-worth.
With “Crush,” Johnson narrows that focus to a single, specific moment: recognizing her attraction to a girl and feeling herself pulled deeper into that person’s orbit. The lead vocal carries the jittery excitement and nervousness of that realization, while layers of harmonies—all performed by Johnson herself—make the feeling more enveloping. By the outro, those voices swell into something almost weightless, a lift created by the arrangement rather than by any direct lyric.
The single was co-written, produced, and mixed by Zach Moshe, Johnson’s frequent creative partner and the filmmaker behind the “Come Over” music video.
Johnson’s musical roots run deep in Northeast Ohio. She sang with The Singing Angels, performed with School of Rock’s AllStars, and participated in Shining Star CLE. She also played trumpet and competed with Solon High School’s Music in Motion show choir before going on to study Music Business at Berklee College of Music.
Her performance résumé also includes being selected to sing at a fundraising event for Congresswoman Emilia Sykes.
Those experiences have shaped an artist equally drawn to big, expressive performance and intimate, personal songcraft. Citing inspiration from SZA’s emotional closeness, Sabrina Carpenter’s playful writing, and Daniel Caesar’s warmth, Johnson pairs soulful vocals with melodies and grooves that leave space for vulnerability, humor, and quiet confidence.
Looking back at the past year, Johnson says she feels energized by how far the project has come and grateful for the listeners who continue to support her. Hearing people connect with songs drawn from her own life has become a meaningful reward in itself.
“Crush” brings all of those threads together around something universally recognizable: the moment a simple attraction stops being a passing thought and starts following you everywhere.
“Crush” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other major streaming platforms.
Zach Moshe
The Studio Moshe
yourcleveland@gmail.com
Why it matters: In an era where pop music can feel polished to the point of anonymity, Johnson’s decision to write, sing, and harmonize every voice on “Crush” herself signals a return to deeply personal craftsmanship. It also marks a rising artist who is building a career not on viral moments, but on the slow, steady work of emotional honesty and musical skill.
