here they are:
"Better" by Michigander: "Better" marks a few turning points for indie-pop/rock newcomers, Michigander. For one, at almost 5 minutes, it's Michigander's longest song to date to become an adult alt radio hit. For another, the instrumentation on "Better" has more of a swelling "arena alternative" sound a la The Killers, The War on Drugs, The National, etc. than the songs Michigander did beforehand. Perhaps most striking of all, though, is just how personal this song is! There is no doubt that the recent coronavirus pandemic has impacted musicians of all stripes, and "Better" is one of a growing number of songs to reflect on that subject. The title alone, "Better," is a statement of optimism from Michigander, albeit a cautious and bittersweet kind of optimism that acknowledges the pain we've all suffered as a result of drastic changes and sudden deaths.
"Evergreen" by Bendigo Fletcher: Kentucky alt-country group, Bendigo Fletcher, have been around for a few years now, but they appear to have ditched the country and folk influences of their earlier material here in favor of a more crunchy yet still melodic psychedelic rock sound. Though their song's title is "Evergreen," a plant known for its willingness to adapt through hard times, the song itself reflects on just how hard it has been for the members to adapt to new ways of life. The song was written a little over 5 years ago, but the band members contend that because of how hard it's been to get used to our new decade-to-be's harsh and startling way of life that it's even more relevant now than it was then. The song is all about anxiety, and the grappling between hopes for the future and more grim yet realistic expectations of how life will probably turn out to be.
"Heatwave" by Julien Baker: A rarity in this day and age, Julien Baker doesn't hide anything in her music! She tells it like it is! On her last adult alt radio hit, "Faith Healer," she candidly and poignantly discussed her struggles with drug addiction. "Heatwave" addresses the even more troubling subject of suicide, albeit not directly. Instead, hints are given within the lyrics, such as, "Nothing to lose 'till everything's really gone/It's worse than death, that life," as well as the recurring line, "On a long spiral down before I make it to the ground." She is not advocating suicide in this song, but nor is she saying that it's a bad choice for the individual who choose to do so. Instead, she has chosen to sympathize and empathize with people who have suicidal thoughts and offer herself as a shoulder to cry on.
"Spirit" by Judah and The Lion: Judah and The Lion have been a popular indie-pop act for quite some time now, yet it hasn't been until now that I've really delved into their material. Judah and The Lion, from what little I've heard of their material, seem to be to the later 2010's what Mumford and Sons were to the earlier part of the decade: an indie-folk/pop group known for their use of banjo. The song is yet another attempting to offer hope and strength during otherwise difficult times, though I find it to be a bit more gimmicky than some of the others on this list for its heavy use of promotion on Disney+'s reboot of "The Mighty Ducks," a show about a fictional sports team. Oh well, still a good song nonetheless, though I think it could do without the whole "emotional moment during a sports game" ploy.
