New Music Monday #20

Superbloomer by Arcy Drive

New indie/alt song to obsess over, “Superbloomer” is endlessly playable with rich vocals and striking instrumentals. Just when you think you’re listening to a mellow song the drums thunder louder with the electric guitar evoking head nods throughout. With a sound that is reminiscent of The Backseat Lovers, Arcy Drive still holds a uniqueness both in their delivery of each instrument and in the production. This track, along with their new EP, Beach Plum feels like just the beginning of greatness in their journey of releasing music.

Sunday by Nautics

Groovy and effortlessly fun, “Sunday” contains all the elements necessary for a catchy indie track to sing along to. From the jump, the song is energizing with an electric guitar and sharp drums that wake you up. Distinctive vocals amplify the natural charisma that the song exudes, adding a liveliness special to Nautics, “Shout it out / My name sits pretty in your mouth”.

Collar of Truth by VIOLENT VIRA

Upon first listen, this track took me by surprise. With a steady guitar riff at the start and sung with airy vocals, “Collar of Truth” has songwriting filled with poignant feelings of the past. Rage, pain, and intensity are felt through VIRA’s screaming vocals and riotous drums overtaking the end of the song, “Forever my ghost, I’m your host / Stay my lover, my phantom”.

Houdini by Dua Lipa

Pop Princess, Dua Lipa, seems to be reinventing herself with the removal of her Instagram pics and the change in past album covers. “Houdini” is everything expected from her; confident, flirty, and sonic with a melody that completes the song to perfection. The tempo is quick and upbeat while also providing an 80’s pop vibe with synths adding that funky vibe, “Catch me or I go Houdini / Time is passing like a solar eclipse”.

I Believe In Love Again by Peggy Gou & Lenny Kravitz

The unexpected collab duo sparks conversation as the two have created a sound that’s beyond the typical genre pool and falls in a mixture of dance/house and R&B music. Rhythmic and mesmerizing, Lenny Kravitz and his iconic soulful vocals tie beautifully with Gou’s transfixing house production expertise. Her vocal addition is deeply spoken with the punchy bassline and electronic elements, “You’ve got my body and my spirit / Winter, spring, summer, or fall”.

Jasmine by Arlo Parks

Arlo Parks shares her rendition of Jai Paul’s “Jasmine”, an unfailing love song. Layered, eclectic, and complex, she has taken a bass-heavy track and filled it with beautiful silky vocals. The lyrics yearn for another and the way Parks conveys them while she sings further illustrates this with hypnotizing synthesizers and drums, “Melt my heart of stone / Make my dream come true”.  

Mother Nature by MGMT

Finally releasing new music after a year, MGMT’s new song is spacey and expansive. It begins with a lo-fi feel and imagery in the storytelling that sets the scene vividly. The bridge is filled with a repeating drum beat and an eerie electric guitar to match the cryptic lyrics. A mix of mesmerizing instrumentals and a harmonically rich production, “Mother Nature” is introspective and poetic, “Watch me running head-first into the thorns / It’s like the lights are off but somebody’s home”.

New Music Monday #19

On Your Side by The Last Dinner Party

A slow ballad that moves you in ways that only music can. Creative lyricism plays a big part in the song’s compelling attribute along with the gorgeous instrumentals. Piano keys sneak in subtly with powerful drums that feel as mesmerizing as the vocals in front of them. Nothing in the track overpowers anything else, instrumentals, vocals, and the storyline all shine brightly on their own as the outro plays the guitar refrain slowly sending you into an abyss, “The wind was so blinding so I clung to you / And you smiled so sweetly as you threw me”.

Down Bitter by november girl

A powerful song filled with raw emotion and an intense message that leaves you questioning. The track has a consistent melody with the drums and bass melding together to create an eerie feeling throughout. Lead singer Willa’s vocals are soft yet intense, further delivering the song’s dark emotion of powerlessness. Toward the end there is a satisfying guitar solo that wraps up the song perfectly with Willa’s haunting last lines, “I slither / Strip down bitter / I’m bitter”.

Mr. Incorrect by Malcolm Todd

Sometimes the only way to describe a song is just by saying it's really good. “Mr. Incorrect'' is really good! From start to finish it’s a chill song with sultry vocals and creative use of instrumentals. The lyrics portray the feelings and contemplations of moving on from someone but then finding joy after it's over. A guitar strum starts the song off and drums effortlessly join along Todd’s vocals. As the track enters the outro, an alluring guitar solo overtakes the listener, “I’m thanking you for having me / Now I’m on and I made a new song”.

Now And Then by The Beatles

The first (and last) new song released by The Beatles, a demo recorded by John Lennon back in 1977, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney brought the band back together for one last time with the help of audio AI. The track is a classic Beatles song, filled with deep longing and love, one that moves us forever. Harrison's guitar riffs played angelically in the back, a gorgeous string arrangement, and Lennon's vocals being brought back together to melt effortlessly with McCartney’s, “I want you to be there for me / Always to return to me”.

worlds greatest emoter by bar italia

An electric track that keeps the listener enamored as each verse contains something new and exciting. Pulsating synths, a commanding electric guitar, and dynamic drums combine perfectly with the differing vocals presented throughout the song. The indie-rock/post-punk vibe continues as the beat picks up, sustaining that feeling of wanting to head bang along, “Wasted your look, tryna keep it young / Wait till I’m there, back under the sun”.

Whip It Up by Justine Skye

Playful and upbeat, “Whip It Up” blends elements of pop, dance, and r&b making this short track a perfect one to dance along to. The beat is quick and the production makes it more addicting with Skye’s seductive vocals captivating you. Her confidence is felt through the rhythm and delivery, “Anyone before me was a waste of time / Curiosity will feed your appetite”.

Moon by Teethe

Mainly instrumentals and softly sung lyrics, “Moon” is hauntingly beautiful. The track leaves a mysterious feeling of wonder behind the meaning of the words. The exchange between both vocalists blend faultlessly, complementing one another. Guitar riffs and the steady drum beat complete the track's fascinating lyricism, “I’ll wear your name like a grave / To wilt and die like a rose”. In its entirety, the production and execution of the song has its own unique vibe, one that is indescribable.

New Music Monday #18

Dancer by IDLES & LCD Soundsystem

Thrilling strings at the start of the track grab your attention as it transitions into heavy drums and a sick guitar riff. The delivery of the compelling lyrics is haunting while thundering through speakers. “Dancer” is a track that feels like one too many things are happening at once in the best way possible, creating an opportunity to dance or mosh– depending on what you prefer. The track expresses the intimacy of being on the dancefloor with another person, all that is seen and felt up close, “Push me away like I’m Lucifer, so to speak / My focus is on the cocoa butter running down your neck”.

bella by EKKSTACY

The song starts off with the lyrics "Don't even know her name” but upon further listening we’re suddenly singing along to “Bella”. The theme of the song feels full of the frustration behind longing for someone and trying to convince yourself you don’t want them. The indie-alt song has a heavy bass, strong drums, and an electric guitar that continues through the catchy chorus. Vocals accentuate this angsty feeling through the story-telling of the mysterious ‘bella’.

A Night To Remember by beabadoobee & Laufey

A seductive jazzy track, Bea and Laufey are a match made in musical heaven. Hypnotizing lyrics pull you in with gorgeous keys and strings that give the sensual feeling Bea and Laufey were aiming for. Both artists' vocals are special in their own way, but working together it’s like they were made to make music together. A sophisticated take on essentially a one-night stand, “All wrapped up in embers / It was a night / Enchanting night to remember”.

GLOW by MICHELLE

Bubbly and light, “GLOW” embodies all that is a fun indie-pop song with a different meaning behind it. The drums carry through the dazzling synth keys along with the bass creating a bouncy track to dance along to. The soft vocals and harmonies contrast with the vibrant instrumentals showcasing the band’s creative expertise in production. Everything about the track exudes excitement and ease, “Zoom in on the action / Get a little glow”.

What Should I Do? by Kevin Abstract

Everything about this song is eclectic from the use of instrumentals, the lyricism, and the way Abstract performs. It sets off a sense of intrigue about the meaning behind the song as he rap-sings through. An acoustic guitar riff plays behind the storyline of love and trying to move on. The bridge is full of “Ba-ba-ba”s until the end of the track with the instruments completing the artistry of the entire song. The drums and electric guitar are strong yet chill and elicit a head nod til the song ends.

Whispers In The Echo Chamber by Chelsea Wolfe

Hauntingly mesmerizing, the track begins with an eerie feeling and whispered vocals by Wolfe. Perfect timing to release such a track during the Halloween season, so there is just enough time for you to add it to your spooky playlist. Synths and electronic distortions create this mysterious and almost chilling feel within the instrumentals. Wild drums take over the end of the song leaving you astonished, “Surrounded by living ghosts, you see / I thought I had to swallow them before they swallowed me”.

The Tower by Future Islands

The known synthpop group added a bit of rock to their recent track “The Tower”. A heavy bass is heard throughout with the raspy vocals and a steady drum beat. It’s a feel-good groovy song with an interesting production. The lyrics are pensive and riveting, making it difficult to decide what grasps your attention first, the moving melody or the captivating songwriting, “Tell myself, ‘It’s nothing,’ when it’s quite right / Everything grows stronger in the light.”