New Music Monday: 8/21/23

Emotional by The Front Bottoms

Opening their first album since 2020, “Emotional” by The Front Bottoms starts off with quick strumming and autotuned vocals, reminiscent of early 2010’s pop-punk sounds. The track includes expected acoustic elements similar to their old releases but also showcases their growth and change of production over the decade. The bold songwriting paired with the auto-tune shows success in the experimental aspects of the creation of the album. As the first verse is ending the instrumentals build up with bright piano keys, punchy drums, and an outburst of guitar strokes and cries, “You got hope tattooed on your throat / And I got respect, the side of my neck”

waiting alonE by Riovaz & Kanii

An invigorating electro-pop song that is as lively as it is groovy. Riovaz collaborates with Kanii to create a melody that is unique, exciting, and easy to vibe to. Mid-song the track begins to slow down with Riovaz’s voice overtaking and then continuing into a musical production that is bass-heavy and with magical synths. The song itself feels mysterious and alluring while simultaneously being a fun track to dance to.

So You Are Tired by Sufjan Stevens

Another delicate song released by Sufjan Stevens along with his heartwrenching lyricism. The track begins with soft piano keys and his humming vocals transcending the listener to a magical place. As the song continues more instrumentals take over paired with vocal harmonies that of a choir, creating a beautiful harmony. Sweet guitar strums pick up with light percussion which gets heavy as his breathy storytelling continues, “I was a man still in love with you / When I already knew it was done”.

bogus operandi by The Hives

With a powerful start to a song, The Hives have made their comeback known loudly and with pride. Beginning with an intense guitar riff and overpowering drums, it evokes head nods and catchy lyrics to scream along to. This is yet another opening track to an album that excites the listener and prepares them for the rest of the album. From start to finish the track is exciting and upbeat with fascinating songwriting, “My personality is rotten all the way”.

Henrietta Hudson by MegaGoneFree

If there’s any artist you are searching for with a knack for creating art with a sense of individuality and talent look no further than MegaGoneFree. “Henrietta Hudson” is a seductive, confident, and bold track containing vocals with inspiration from R&B, but has an outro that adds a nice twist. There is an instrumental breakdown that almost feels alternative with a mesmerizing guitar solo and strong beats transitioning into a raunchy, whisper-like monologue. Overall the lyrics are clever and the melody ties the whole song together, perfect for the confident baddies.

Losing You by Del Water Gap

Brooklyn-based indie-alt artist, Del Water Gap (S. Holden Jaffe) has released three singles that are on his upcoming album I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet. While every drop from DWG is exciting on its own, “Losing You” amps up the anticipation for the album by a landslide. With an upbeat melody contrasting the self-reflecting lyrics, the track combines everything that makes an alt-song good. A unique production and fun instrumentals, his use of sincere songwriting creates a comforting atmosphere, “Don’t wanna be right if it means losing you”.

Forever by Ciara & Lil Baby

As part of Ciara’s newly released EP CiCi, she collaborates with one of the biggest names in hip-hop today, Lil Baby, to create a devotional love song. Ciara talks about the importance of sticking to R&B roots in her music, and with this track her intentions are clear. With the repeating catchy chorus and Baby’s feature adding onto the outspoken love for a significant other, this song encapsulates faithfulness to one, “I don’t want it if it isn’t forever”.

New Music Monday 8/14/23

Destroyer by M.A.G.S.

A riveting song that takes you through a plethora of emotions. From the strong guitar, the quick beat of the drum, and the songwriting that cuts so deep it almost hurts, “The things you’re giving up are the dreams you only wish to forget”. The musical journey is consuming, exciting, and almost confusing. M.A.G.S., or Elliott Douglas, has beautifully combined sounds from alternative rock and ends the song with a punk rock twist with screaming vocals. Vivid and raw lyrics make this song what it is: honest and expressive.

Jesus In Tokyo by Libby Quinn

Listening to this track feels like going on a trip, you don’t really know where it’s going but you know you’re having a good time. With the repeating guitar riffs throughout, captivating lyrics along exciting vocals, and unapologetic drums, this song encapsulates post-punk rock. You get taken by surprise when a gorgeous instrumental solo takes place amidst the song but then suddenly transitions back into the earlier recurrent guitar riff.

balloons by Noname (feat. Jay Electronica & Eryn Allen Kane)

After five years since her last release, Noname has dropped an album, “Sundial” that is distinctive, true, and bold. In “balloons” an undertone of jazzy/r&b aspects is incorporated with a smooth beat and a light piano. Noname’s ability to be unapologetically honest and tackle serious topics in a poetic manner is a true talent. Her combination of lyricism with instrumentals that make you feel make this track, and her others, undeniably special.

Find Me Out by Peter McPoland

With the release of his new album, “Piggy” Peter has taken a new path from his typical music genre, leaving behind his folky alternative sounds and entering a more emo/punk/alternative route. In “Find Me Out” powerful drums and guitar solos pair with Peter’s angsty, gritty voice creating an atmosphere that’s out of this world. His alluring songwriting gives the song its own energy of yearning and agony, “Well, I have seen the fragile tears that hide in smiles / Beneath the cheeks of shells of men”.

Nobody Else Will Do by Anish Kumar

For an upbeat exciting electronic dance song turn to “Nobody Else Will Do” by Anish Kumar. The beat is impeccable and elicits immediate dancing and the outro transitions into an isolated drum beat. Throughout, the title of the track is repeated in an edited warped sense, all the while he stays eclectic in his production style. Mesmerizing synths and quick beats keep listeners on their toes while also slowing down for that repeated phrase “Nobody else will do”.

care about myself by N3WYRKLA

Heartbreakingly open and honest songwriting alongside beautiful vocals, “care about myself’ fuses r&b sounds with a bit of alt-rock in the chorus. The melody is steady and consistent, with instrumentals that quicken and slow with the lyrics, definitely a headbanger. The outro includes echoey vocals, this track is all about recognizing one’s wrong-doings and finally putting yourself first, “Poison that’s been wearing on my health, I / I just gotta care about myself.”

Number 9 by Miguel (feat. Lil Yachty)

In a unique and thrilling collaboration, Miguel and Lil Yachty worked together to create an eccentric track filled with interesting beats and lyrics. While it’s trippy in its musical sense, Lil Yachty does the ad-libs until he joins with whisper-like vocals and fascinating songwriting. Listening to this song invites an open mind and appreciation for the production, “And the sky came crawling out beneath the waves”.

New Music Monday: 7/31/23

Madhouse by House of Harm

“Madhouse” takes you through a series of thoughts and emotions, all provoking an all-consuming feeling of delight. The poetic writing tells a story of the longing for compassion and understanding all the while trying not to get lost in your own mind, confusing your thoughts for another, “The voice is clear / It’s in my head and it’s coming from your eyes /

But you would never let me see”. It’s an eerie phenomenon, the feeling that your own thoughts are not your own. House of Harm beautifully captures this peculiar sentiment, with steady drums, mesmerizing synths, and just an overall feeling of being taken to another dimension.

Cold Fingers by Two-Man Giant Squid

If you’re ever looking for a new, cool, underground, indie/alt-rock band, look no further because Two-Man Giant Squid is criminally underrated. Their recently released single “Cold Fingers” is superb to say the least. Beginning the track off with hypnotic riffs, strong drums, and cool vocals, the song progresses into an insane job on instrumentals with an unforgettable guitar solo and a gutting outro. The drums pick up and so does the singing alongside the guitar. This is one of those songs that is already so good that you know hearing it live would be an incredible experience.

RIOT (Rowdy Pipe’n) by A$AP Rocky

The first drop since January’s “Same Problems”, A$AP Rocky is giving his fans a taste of what’s to come with his new album ‘Don’t Be Dumb’. Co-written and co-produced by Pharell Williams, the track delivers clever bars with a punchy beat, “Pass on a sweetie, I got me a RiRi/ Blue magic, she sniffin' that, I dream of genie”. Acknowledging the shoutout he gives to Rihanna, lyrically A$AP’s flow is undeniably clean, and using his past work as a reference, it only further proves this statement true.

Heavier by Odesza and Yellow House

Dreamy vocals paired with psychedelic electronic beats, “Heavier” is the perfect addition to your mid-summer playlist. The collaboration of Yellow House working with Odesza adds an indie element incorporated to the already expected EDM aspect of the EP ‘Flaws In Our Design’. Introspection is evoked while listening and analyzing the lyrics which are fascinating, “I'll find peace in your nightshade / And the warmth inside your cool blade / And lead you down a labyrinth of desire”.

Be My Summer by Snoh Aalegra

For angelic vocals luring you into the start of the track and majestic keys, “Be My Summer” feels like a heavenly experience from start to finish. The song moves you through her emotions of trying to move on from a significant other but somehow falling back in love, “You’ve taken tenure in my heart / I can’t change how I feel”. Harmonizing vocals in the back support Aalegra’s voice creating an all-around perfect R&B tune, again perfect for the summer.

Enough Is Enough by Post Malone

Another highly anticipated album, ‘Austin’ by Post Malone dropped July 28th, making this his fifth studio album. With every new release, Post shows evolution within his music but still creates art that resonates with countless amounts of people. Starting the song with a classic guitar riff and his notorious autotuned vocals, the reflective lyrics are catchy and the melodies are refreshing; however, the track touches on the issue of over-indulgence. Post has been known for his genuine and honest song-writing abilities while also making an enjoyable track that may not feel as depressing as it is, “Take me home, don't shut me out / It's easier to leave me down here on the ground”.

DELRESTO (ECHOES) by Travis Scott

With the release of Travis Scott’s new album ‘UTOPIA’, fans are overjoyed and raving about the long list of featured artists throughout the record. “DELRESTO (ECHOES)” in particular features Beyoncé, which many of her fans speculate is an easter egg continuing Renaissance content for the one-year anniversary. The track has the same Renaissance disco vibe with smooth vocals persistent from Beyoncé and Scotts’ echoey delivery, “The starry nights are startin' to fade / At times for miles I see your face”. All around, the song elicits dancing and contains a beautiful outro with Bon Iver reverberating, “Hey, now, you will report to me”.