New Music Monday: 7/10/23

Messy by Olivia Dean

The beauty of music is that there are various ways of interpreting songs based on what resonates. Olivia Dean’s title track “Messy” feels that way, that it can be a song about relationships with others, yourself, or just life. Her pop-soul proficiency shines throughout her debut album, but this specific song with its dreamy guitar and light beats fit under a calming psychedelic soul genre. Dean reclaims the word ‘messy’ as something positive rather than its negative connotation, “It’s okay if it’s messy/ I’m on your side.” The drums pick up and strengthen after the bridge and its hypnotizing hums, continuing the chorus.

Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo

Rodrigo fans have been anticipating Olivia’s return to music, and her new single, “Vampire”, made the wait worth it. A slow piano ballad at the beginning deceives you into believing it’s just another sad slow song. Rodridgo’s talent for writing riveting, honest, and poetic music still stands true with lyrics like, “Six months of torture you sold as some forbidden paradise”. Her songwriting ability has helped her release tracks like this, telling a story, and expressing the disappointment and fury she feels recounting a past relationship. The bridge further shows her indignation and that emotion thunders on, “...you can’t love anyone, cause that would mean you had a heart”

the car by glaive

glaive releasing this as the last song before his album “i care so much that i dont care at all” which comes out on July 14th, gets us more excited to see what's coming. What glaive does best is writing aggressive, blunt lyrics that contrast the upbeat and quick melody played behind it. In an interview, Glaive admits this is the only song not written from his point of view, but rather, from a friend’s perspective of getting cheated on. The second sentence sets the tone for the rest of the song, a badass recap of the “imaginary” cheating scandal between himself, the girl, and the boy in question. Being known for his hyper-pop expertise, glaive has proved himself to be efficient in different musical aspects other than the expected hyper-pop song, which this track along with the other pre-released songs, has shown.

Running Blind by Aluna, Tchami, Kareen Lomax

For an enticing electric dance song ideal for the summertime, turn to “Running Blind”. With an addicting melody, compelling piano chords, and metaphoric lyricism, Aluna and Tchami collaborate and successfully produce together for the first time. The build-up before the beat drop is note-worthy for its merge of smooth vocals and dynamic rhythm. “Freedom is locked in my mind/ Gotta believe it” a song that contains powerful songwriting with a beat to dance to, all around a 10/10 song perfect for July!

Pretty Girls by midwxst

Known for his gift in mixing hyper-pop with rap, midwxst has released, yet again, a genre-defying single. Contrary to his previous albums with sad-boy writing, ‘Pretty Girls’ depicts a clearly complicated relationship, but filled with more confusion and lust. With cool guitar riffs mixed with a production of energized rhythm, this song showcases his dexterity in making music. The track ends off with a beautiful saxophone and a voicemail, from the assumed pretty girl, as the outro.

Think Fast by Dominic Fike (feat. Weezer)

This is the third track on Dominic Fike’s new album, “Sunburn”, inspired by Weezer’s “Undone - The Sweater Song”, he makes this song a perfect example of just one of the musical directions he takes. “Think Fast” leans into the pop-rock aspect of song-making, but still adds rap, with a lively guitar and a tenacious chorus hook. While the album entirely takes creative freedom and has no boundary for a specific genre, sampling from 90’s rockers, Weezer, you can still hear how he has incorporated his unique sound into the track making it his own. A blithe and passionate contemplation of life's fast-paced momentum, “Think fast/ you only get one try”.

F’d Up by LAYA

No bullshit, confident and daring. Three words describing the track to add to your hot girl summer playlist. Laya’s soothing vocals juxtapose the unflinching lyrics with a playful bass, a striking beat, and a catchy chorus. The song is about not dealing with someone’s trivial drama, doing the mature thing, and moving on, “Quit with all the cap/ You got me fucked up”. The groovy R&B song ends with a beautiful instrumental ballad, a thrilling sign-off.

Written by Amy Kapel

Graphic by Ryan Murray

New Music Monday: 7/3/23

Heartquake by L'Impératrice ft. Cuco

This track would be played at the climax of a really good movie, right when the main characters do something that makes the audience wish they were in the movie. Listening to the song in its entirety was something of an astonishing trip, with the sextet singing in French and Cuco’s Spanish, it all blends together in a beautiful way. An intoxicating disco sound that has an addictive effect, made to be on repeat. It’s perfect to dance to at summer parties or clubs where everyone can find something they love about the song. Whether it be the breakdown during the bridge, its psychedelic lyrics, or the quick beat, there’s something anybody could appreciate.

Alive by Bakar

The new single “Alive” released by Bakar along with a date (September 1st) for his upcoming album ‘Halo’, shows us his genius as the alternative/pop artist of the UK. Starting off with a clean guitar riff and a steady bass, Bakar’s lyrics are simple but all too relatable. He depicts the feeling of wanting to appreciate what you already have in your life, “I know the sunshine isn’t promised/ so I put it in my pocket”, but also not fixating on it all. His talents not only lie in lyricism, but also in his skilled production work, and musicality being inspired from home, London. This track seems to be “feel-good” but holds depth within its words, and is still one you’d add to your summer playlist!

Uncertainty by Lauren Corrigan

Singer/songwriter Lauren Corrigan’s single “Uncertainty” is painfully raw and honest with a daunting bridge that creatively incorporates different instrumentals. The song encapsulates the trepidation of growing up and not knowing what comes next. She writes of the pain and truth of the past and how they are still alive in all of us, making us who we are. The track from start to finish feels intimate, with strong killer drums, and a lullful end.

Sex by Starbenders

Atlanta-based rockstars, Starbenders, have their new album ‘Take Back The Night’ coming out September 22nd and their single “Sex” gives a taste of what to expect from the upcoming punk rock group. The track is bold and provocative, one you’d join the moshpit for.

The lyrics seem pretty straightforward but with alluring lines like “The pendulum forever swings with the hands of time” it creates a deeper complexity. Then, the guitar solo traps you in the song, further showing the creativity within the band musically and lyrically.

Nothing To Lose by Wild Blue Yonder

A soulful, jazzy, and dreamy song that includes a beautiful mix of instruments and adoring lyrics. The entire song is an experience, one to dance and sing along to. Mid-song there is an interlude of an electric guitar, light drums, and mesmerizing keys in the background carrying you to a different realm. The track has lyrics of devotion to one person and what love can do to someone. A saxophone included makes this song feel more sophisticated, with rich vocals showcasing true talent and excellence.

Cold-Hearted Man by Sammy Rae & The Friends

Sammy Rae & The Friends took a song and made it a period piece, absolutely transporting you to a 1920s jazz club. The lyrics convey a story of men being good at first and then turning into someone “cold-hearted”. Rae has explained that the song was written back in 2016, but due to the overturn of Roe V. Wade last summer, the song became an ironic depiction of the progress we have made, but also how these old and tired themes between gender equality are still very prevalent in today’s society. Her old-timey voice truly brings a feeling of the past, just like these new laws and expectations of a woman’s bodily autonomy. The instrumentals tie the entire track together, again, a complete jazz song that is unique from the rest of their discography.

Coal Hearts by Kiki Kramer

With a memorable chorus and fun beat, “Coal Hearts” is the perfect pop/dance song of the summer. The intro starts off strong and bold with sassy lyrics and catchy “La la la’s” throughout the song. Kiki, originally from Cali, is now based in NYC releasing pop music with straightforward lyrics that anyone can party to. Whether you are pregaming to go out and you turn this on or you have aux, this should be going on every hot girl’s playlist.

Written by Amy Kapel

Graphic by Ryan Murray

New Music Monday - 6/26/23

Half-Past Twelve by Moxie

Moxie is a small band from Vermont that cannot be classified as just an indie pop band when there are hints of rock and r&b. “Half-Past Twelve” has a perfect entrance into the song, with a little bit of the electric guitar getting picked up and carried to blend naturally with other instruments. This song is one that you’d nod your head with on the drive to the beach with your friends. Getting lost in the rhythm of the song but also observing the self-aware lyrics, it’s a beautiful juxtaposition between how the music makes you feel compared to the words of the song.

Anybody by Maeta

Maeta uses her vocals to beautifully express the wants of one specific person. Her alternative R&B album “When I Hear Your Name” takes a fun change with the song “Anybody” with a deeper bass and drum. The collaboration with SZA for the writing, you can hear background vocals and adlibs that truly complete the song. This is just a feel-good song with lyrics that show the yearning for someone. It can potentially make you feel down bad, but you can’t help to dance along. While there is not much depth within the lyrics, it’s enough for just about anybody to relate to, either on a good or bad day!

Get Lost by Windser

Another upbeat song with somber lyrics that hit hard. Windser (Jordan Topf) is an indie/alternative writer and “Get Lost” was just released on June 12th with dreamy guitar riffs and strong drums. The track begins bubbly and fun and continues throughout. However, if you are listening to the words, he expresses how there is a sense of desperation in trying to figure out the feelings of anxiety and depression and how to abandon them. By the end of the song Topf conveys that, sometimes leaving everything behind and going into the unknown can be the “answer” to getting through difficult emotions.

That Is My Life, That Is Yours by King Krule

King Krule released his album “Space Heavy” with metaphorical and mesmerizing lyrics that quite literally can send you off into space. “That Is My Life, That Is Yours” is more of a jazzy song with the addition of a beautiful saxophone solo which further elaborates on the feeling of getting lost and looking for love. By 1:40 in the song, the melancholy beat transitions into an instrumental with drums and an electric guitar, which feels as though it represents some sort of continual cycle of searching for love. Written by Archy Marshall, his deep voice is soothing and simultaneously enigmatic, creating an alluring listening experience. It can be a delicate wind-down song or an introspective approach to the lyrics and their meaning.

Hypochondriac by Savoia

Savoia, an NYC indie rock band released their single “Hypochondriac” with strong drums and a sick guitar riff preparing the chorus. I felt like I was listening to an early 2000’s rock song with lead singer, Lucas Allan’s, rich voice carrying through the song. The added “oohs” and “ahs” prep for this to be an interactive song heard live. The verses have a slow catchy beat to head nod to while transitioning into the fun instrumentals behind the chorus. The bridge has angsty lyrics to sing along with and ends with an insane electric guitar, bass, and drum to finish off.

Attention by Doja Cat

Her comeback to music has been greatly anticipated by pretty much everyone. The beginning of the track feels like a dream with a plethora of instrumentals next to her light vocals. Once she begins to rap, the lyrics are clever and witty showing her true place in the music industry. Doja did not come to play with this song, and I’m sure is only growing the excitement fans have for more music. Her flow on the beat moves quickly but smoothly and her lyric “Look at me, look at me/ You lookin’?” truly highlights her confidence in what she is doing and wants everyone to know it. “Attention” is that song that the lyrics truly show Doja Cat got to where she is with her hard work and talent, no funny business.

Where You Go by Kiana Ledé & Khalid

The beautiful vocals harmonizing by Ledé and Khalid make this song what it is. The R&B song has a strong background beat with lyrics that showcases the dedication of being close to one person. It embodies how much of an effect a significant other can have on one’s emotions, reactions, and livelihood. The minor but obvious manipulation of the vocals at the start makes this song intriguing but also ironically honest within the lyrics. This track is a quick one but worth it to be played on repeat with its catchy recurrent lyrics at the end.

Long Limbs by The Brook and The Bluff

The Brook & The Bluff set the tone for their upcoming album “Bluebeard” (out September 15th) with the release of the new single “Long Limbs”—a funky alternative song with an airy musical background and strong drums. The song encapsulates the desire of wanting to go back to the good parts of a relationship with someone. Trying to stay in touch with being in love rather than allowing the relationship to run its course. With the song beginning and ending with the same lyrics, “Pick up where we left off/ I don’t think we could”, it indicates that although there is hope in mending what has happened and moving on, it is not realistic

But Not Kiss by Faye Webster

Webster’s return to releasing music with the new single “But Not Kiss” is tenacious yet afraid, gracious yet aloof, aspiring yet feckless. A beautiful contradictory song filled with confusion but understanding. The track starts soft and slow and then transitions into an abrupt array of instrumentals and this continues throughout the song. The line begins slow and steady with lyrics of yearning, “I want to see you in my dreams…” and then the addition of sudden instrumentals of the piano and drums on the line, “but then forget”. The way the music ties together with the emotion of the lyrics shows Webster’s consistency in creating heart-hitting songs about being in love or being anti-love, whichever resonates.

On My Mama by Victoria Monét

Sampling Chalie Boy’s early 00’s “I Look Good”, Victoria Monét adds an R&B positive twist to the song. Her soulful dreamy voice combined with positive affirmations through the track, “On My Mama” is one of those self-empowering songs. While it’s a slower and more chill vibe, it is definitely one played to hype yourself up while getting ready to go out. A feel-good song that uplifts while simultaneously vibing, a great pair! One lyric being, “Done being the humble type”, Monét’s confidence is evident and mixed well with superb horns and a groovy bass in the back.

Perceptions by Meshell Ndegeocello ft Jason Morgan

For those who appreciate beautiful instrumentals rather than the story behind the lyrics, Meshell Ndegeocello’s “Perceptions” ft Jason Morgan is worth the listen. A short track with repeating sentences can emotionally send you in ways never thought of before. “Don’t let your outside world / Distract you from your inner world” is sung as almost a mantra, a reminder for yourself, while a soothing piano plays in the back. The piano solo after the chant is done is trance-like, making it difficult to not reflect on how the melody, along with the words makes you feel. A slower song on her album, “The Omnichord Real Book”; however, the ethereal aura while playing it makes it feel as if time is moving slowly.

SKINSUIT by Sam The Woo

"SKINSUIT” is a groovy, eclectic, and striking single released on June 23rd by artist Sam The Woo. Her unique voice and use of instrumentals create a mixture of eccentric jazz/r&b sounds. The strong bass hit towards the end of the song, with Sam’s tranquil voice humming alongside it preparing for the last verse. All I can say is it is obvious the creative thought and care put into the making of this song. The witty and imaginative lyrics express the feelings of feeling trapped within yourself, showing up as a different person towards others.

Written by Amy Kapel

Graphic by Ryan Murray