New Music Monday #28

run away girl by Alice Merton

Upbeat and musically evocative, “run away girl” is lyrically raw. The build-up to each chorus with strong drums and Merton’s demanding vocals is exciting and creates an almost overwhelmingly reassuring feeling. The track’s lyrics tackle the difficulty of contemplating one’s life’s purpose and navigating where to go. The melody is beautifully infectious with instrumentals that captivate you until the very end, “But I came so far to get lost at sea / Oh where the hell am I supposed to be?”

Cry Baby (feat. Lord Apex) by Brad stank

Incorporating alternative, R&B, and jazz components, Brad stank has released another track that pushes the boundaries of a singular genre. His deep silky vocals deliver a rap alongside a sickening guitar. Lord Apexs’ flow with the beat is effortless, further showing the exceptional talent the song is infused with. The outro is a luscious saxophone, allowing for a tranquil end to the track, “Flows is kinda foul just like embezzlement, intelligent / But still ain't got the bezzle in.”

Kool-Aid by Bring Me The Horizon

An unsparing start to the song, the punk rock/metal band is making their comeback known loud and clear. With crashing drums and intoxicating electric guitars, the track is overpowering in every sense of the word. An oscillating beat and intense screams added in, “Kool-Aid” has daunting lyricism whilst incorporating instrumentals that keep the melody consistent throughout, “The void is a vampire, fat on our blood / Domesticated like a cat in a cage.”

Lilly by LOVA

A beautifully heartbreaking and deeply vulnerable song. LOVA allows us, the listener, in on an emotionally honest track that’s filled with a myriad of feelings only she could understand. While the song comes from her own experience, her songwriting creates an open space for others to also relate to. The acoustic guitar and gentle vocal harmonies create the heartfelt song of “Lilly”, “Maybe I was wrong for thinking you were indestructible, that you don’t get emotional / Lilly, I’m so sorry.”

Ezekiel’s Wheel by Erick the Architect and George Clinton

Lyricism that takes you through the mind of Erick the Architect, with alluring storytelling along the groovy melody– with help from funk master George Clinton. The track is infused with origins of hip-hop, funk, and soul, which further showcases the musical expertise of both artists. A hypnotic, psychedelic song with a rap delivery of passion and lyrics of poetry, “Can't repel what's in my head, I jot in thought and form and speech / Some say it's poetry, some say it's ESP.”

Lifeboat by Tim Atlas and Raphael Future

Mesmerizing melodies mixed with harmonies and relaxed drums create a special atmosphere while listening to “Lifeboat”. Gentle vocals enter with a groovy beat alongside a distinctive guitar strum. The intriguing imagery in the songwriting summons the thought-provoking metaphor of ultimately sinking from life, “Something’s gotta give out / We’re just a memory, shadows of our past selves floating away.”

Wasted Youth by goddard. and Cat Burns

The house/edm producer collaborating with genre-bending Cat Burns gives us a track that’s definitely going to be a hit at the club. Burns’ strong vocals carry throughout the song seamlessly as the beat progressively quickens before the drop and synths enter in heavily. Lyrically, it’s a catchy song that’s both relatable and easily enjoyable with a stellar melody.

New Music Monday #27

Whatever Comes My Way by Felly

With a blend of indie, alternative, and pop origins, “Whatever Comes My Way” is a positive uplifting song about going along with the cards you're dealt. It’s upbeat and fun with drums and guitar strums continuing the feel-good rhythm throughout the track. The second verse is delivered in a quick dialogue until Felly returns to his soft singing. The lyrics are a reminder to enjoy the crazy ride life puts you on, “We laugh it off until we cry / ‘Cause it’s a short life, you remind me all the time.”

Million Cash by Connor Price and Armani White

With the quick and heavy beat, Price starts the track off strong with a confident delivery of his unapologetic verse. The seamless transition from Price to White shows the collaborative chemistry the two artists share. White’s verse is witty and his smooth flow further amplifies the energy of the song. With each beat, the duo doesn’t fail to deliver bars showing off their winnings, “Walk in the building like I got a million on me in cash / Tired of counting; I hired accountants, they doin' the math.”

be like that by blackwave.

Blurring the line between any distinctive genre, blackwave. released an intriguingly complex track. With elements of electronic, a rap verse is carried through with a strong beat and synths alongside it. In just under three minutes, the track goes through a plethora of sounds, creating an other-worldly listening experience. Towards the end the beat picks up and more digital instrumentals shine with claps concluding the song.

Backwards by Wild Child

A mix of folky alternative and soul components, the track’s melody is cheerful while the lyrics express the truth of working harder in a relationship. The vocals are incredibly strong and as passionate as the drums that play in the back. Throughout the song, there is a funk vibe and as the bridge builds up with horns and a slowed beat, Kelsey sings “I’m always bending backwards, trying to keep you around.”

july (feat. Mree & Henri Bardot) by Kina Grannis, Imaginary Future, and people i like, Mree, & Henri Bardot

A gorgeous slow song that is musically mesmerizing. With each artist incorporating a different element to make the track special, this aching for something that once was, absorbs the listener. Soft guitar strums play throughout the song with smooth harmonies singing “I don’t like it, don’t like it.” The lyrics take you through a story as the gentle instrumentals carry the vocals until the very end.

time just keeps on keepin on by lentra

Another slower track that makes you feel as groovy as it is. It’s effortlessly cool with the instrumentals blending together with lentra’s deep, almost spoken, vocals. You can’t help but nod along with the relatable chorus and silky melody. Lyrically the writing is honest and sort of existential while still having an optimistic view, “Time keeps on moving so time to relax / Think about now cause it’s all that we have”.

LOVE DRUG by Eva Shaw and Thouxanbanfauni

Blending a bit of dance and hip-hop, the collaboration with Eva Shaw and Thouxanbanfauni creates a catchy track built for any party playlist. Shaw’s production skills elevate the sound the two are trying (and succeeding in) putting out. Thouxanbanfauni’s quick delivery and clever writing is only further highlighted as the beat drops and Shaw’s vocals come in for the chorus.

New Music Monday #26

Long Forgotten by flyingfish

Starting the song with a captivating electric guitar and then into collapsing drums, the listener is drawn in immediately. The song itself lacks having many lyrics– which are themselves poetically harrowing– but the instrumental elements shine brightly and speak for themselves. The strong electric guitar tells its own story filled with emotion while simultaneously overriding the very softly sung vocals, “As she’s long forgotten, her heart echoes throughout the clouds.”

Baby Blue by MiLES.

Upbeat and intriguing, “Baby Blue” is comprised of everything that a good song is. It is emotive, unique, and catchy, with alluring vocals varying in pitch and tone that pull you in. The melody is overwhelmingly addictive with a heavy bass, enticing lyrics, and a steady beat that carries on throughout the track, “Oh baby blue, I’m stuck here staring at your vibrant hue / I’ll ask your name, you’ll say ‘it’s déjà vu.”

Remind Me (feat. Hilda) by Lost Kings

An electrifying and contagious dance track by the iconic duo, Lost Kings. With an infectious digitized beat and riveting vocals, the song has layers of exciting elements. The songwriting expresses the dark and messy sides of love, within the jealousy and regret; but with the upbeat melody it inevitably is a song you can’t help but dance along to, “Mind me, remind me, losing you to find me.”

i’m sorry about last night by Ezra Bell

A devotional song expressing the unconditional love felt for another person. The melody is sweet and slow with horns in the back and drums rising creating this feeling of complete altruism. Ending with a beautiful composition of strings like the violin and a rising tempo, the lyrics are written beautifully producing a love song felt long after the track finishes, “Until the distancеs we'll wonder / Perhaps on all fours / But you arе mine and I am yours.”

Surface by acloudyskye

With a quick melody and exciting instrumentals, “Surface” feels like it should be in a coming of age movie. A unique voice behind the track is accompanied by intricate electric guitars, thundering drums, and an electronic switch to the music. The songwriting tells a story that feels too intimate to know, “And if you're there can you hear it / They're shooting flares in the distance / But they won't find a trace of us.”

Off and To the Side by Kabwasa

A chill jam perfect to play when starting the day or ending it! With a cool rhythm, strong keys, and a funky beat, “Off and To the Side” is a pleasant track filled with clever metaphors to reel you in. Soft harmonies and a catchy chorus further make the song one that's on replay with lyrics longing to be with one, “If I hold you down would you rock with me? / Or am I fabricating how you feel / I only wanna lay with you.”

Slow Burn by Infinity Song

Beautiful soulful vocals float throughout the track with elegant harmonies that complete the sound. A guitar strum is consistent while an electric guitar is faintly heard in the back as the bridge begins. Musically the song is light and airy with a rich vocal factor and engrossing lyricism, “Keep it going ‘til the morning / And the flames they keep on burning.”