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.”

New Music Monday #25

If You Run by Rec Hall

The perfect upbeat indie pop song with a catchy chorus and infectious melody. An interesting reminiscent vocal sound of Declan McKenna, their EP Localism still has a unique sound and enticing songwriting. A bass and clap rhythm starts the song off with strong drums entering alongside the almost echoed vocals. The lyrics display a feeling of trying to get away from your problems but struggling in the end. Head nodding through the track is the right way to listen, “But you don’t mind / loose ends have got you tongue tied.”

City on a Hill by Mon RovÎa

A gentle guitar strum plays throughout the song with Mon’s gorgeous vocals singing through heartbreaking lyrics. With a calming melody and light instrumentals, the track is eloquently healing. A folk alternative track delivering the message of enduring the trials and tribulations of life. It is beautifully simple yet dynamic and overtaking with emotion, “Can you be still? / There’s a void only silence can fill.”

u come near by bby

A complex and powerful track filled with varying instrumental elements. The track has crashing drums, an insane electric guitar solo at the end, and shouting vocals. As it begins slowly with a slight guitar riff it immediately jumps into a heavy bass and vocals that charge at you. The clever writing depicts the way a specific person can make you lose control of yourself. 10/10 track for headbanging…. “I can reach you, touch you, fall and need you / But if I’m gonna talk, then please don’t look in my eye.”

Madness by Terrace Martin & 24kGoldn

With a smooth mix of electronic and R&B genres, “Madness” encapsulates a multitude of intriguing features. A breathtaking saxophone enters about halfway through and synths carry over it creating a tranquil listening experience. A heavy beat and soft vocals by Martin reflect the introspection behind the songwriting– trying to stay at peace within life's chaos, “Lookin' in the mirror like 'What happened?”

Nothing Else Feels The Same by LOONY

A classic neo-soul core filled with a fusion of additional genres. Trickling keys enter the song with singer Kira Huszar's deep soulful vocals floating along the melody. A steady beat with beautiful harmonies meld together with the rest of the track's instrumentals. As the track ends with brass instrumentals, the feeling the song gives lingers afterward, “We pay whatever the fee is cause all of the cheap shit is never enough / No baby, there’s nothing in this world that feels like us.”

Moon Girl by Ha Vay

Dreamy and angelic, “Moon Girl” is bewitching with enchanting vocals. What sounds like wind chimes at the start of the song creates this nostalgic feeling while Lila softly delivers captivating lyrics. The melody is light and flowy with an uplifting drum beat and guitar riff. The song makes you freely move throughout each spellbinding verse, “Don’t mistake me / For the wind when she / Howls, howls”

Love To Walk Away by The Vaccines

Upbeat and catchy, “Love To Walk Away” is a classic indie-rock song with strong instrumentals. The short track has a deep bass, heavy drums, and a slick guitar. With a repeating chorus, the lyrics encapsulate the feeling of going after someone who is not returning the same energy. One of those songs that you know would get a crowd jumping, “We both know where this is leading / You love to walk away.”