New Music Monday #21

23 by Baby Queen

Vulnerability doesn’t come easy but with the writing in “23”, it almost seems effortless. Baby Queen writes about the experience of being in your 20s. News flash— it’s rough. She perfectly encapsulates the confusion, fear, and existentialism. Through this, the lyrics are also introspective and allow for self-understanding, “I can’t help myself it’s just the way I feel”. She mostly speaks through the dialogue of truth and softly sings through the chorus ending on an encouraging note, “Live a little bit, you’re twenty-three”.

Never Change (feat. Philip Bailey) by BJ the Chicago Kid

An absolutely breathtaking track that is infused with gorgeous instrumentals and smooth vocals that deliver lines with ease. Harmonizing between the two artists produces a soulful atmosphere surrounding you. With a heavy bass, glistening keys, and drums make the listening experience one that you wish would never end. The vocals melt beautifully with the lyrics, “Because seasons change / Nothing remains the same”.

My Mirage by Dakota Blue

A cool eclectic track that feels as though you’re traveling through time and space. The prominent bass that starts the song off feels mysterious as the drums begin to settle in. The entirety of the musical production creates an ominous feel aside the soft vocals. An electric guitar towards the song's end adds a longing sense to the repeating lyrics, “She’s my mirage”.

Blick by ScarLip

A song that’ll hype you up no matter when or where you listen to it. ScarLip’s gritty delivery with every line showcases her versatile style within her music. A fast-paced drum beat with drill components added to create a track that you can’t help but dance to. Through each lyric, you can hear passion and confidence along with clever lines, “Oh, he rattin? / We give him some cheese.”

Red Flags by Brittany Howard

Powerfully moving, “Red Flags” takes us through a journey of ignoring all the signs to leave a relationship that's leading nowhere. The distinctive sound of the track feels like gaining a sense of finality in what is no longer good for you. The bass is deep, the drums are lively, along with the other instrumentals that make the listening experience remarkably fluid, “Dreaming a way to keep from waking”.

APATHY (feat. Gregory Thomas Pease) by Babie Julez

Brutally self-aware, Babie Julez has written from a place of raw honesty. The heavy drums mixed with guitar riffs further make the pop-rock song feel as angsty as the lyrics. Her vocals are strong and assertive, demonstrating all the emotions put into the songwriting. Pease’s softer vocals enter the second verse and build up to the reflective chorus, “I get stuck in my own way / I feel lost, I still haven’t done anything”.

Loaded Quiet (Grown at Home) by Sam The Woo

Poetic and striking, Sam The Woo creates music that is unique in the way it sounds AND in how it makes you feel. Her ability to story-tell is vivid and imaginative, making you feel as if you are right there with her. More of a ballad, the instrumentals behind her vocals are beautifully enhancing every lyric she delivers “I left myself on repeat, watching windows from my childhood bed sheets”.

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.