New songs for June 22nd, 2022

 here they are:


"Anything But Me" by Muna: All-female indie-pop trio Muna combines the Fleetwood Mac-ish harmonies that dominated the 1970's with the shiny, plastic synth-pop sound of the 1980's. Their latest song, "Anything But Me," utilizes both of these factors to great effect as lead singer Katie Gavin weaves a tale about a relationship gone wrong. More specifically, "Anything But Me" is about a relationship Katie opted out of simply because it didn't feel right for her. 

"Free" by Florence and The Machine: After the atmospheric, moody pop of Flo's latest song, "My Love," her summer 2022 hit, "Free," seems poised to be one that is more suited to the upbeat vibes people typically associate with summer. The song is one of Flo's more spirited numbers. Just as "Shake it Out" shook off her inner demons in 2011, "Free" seems to be doing the same thing in 2022. The main difference, of course, is that Flo was not suffering through a pandemic in 2011. "Shake It Out" was more about trying to relieve stress after a hangover (which her 2015 song, "Ship to Wreck," seemed to be about as well). There's no tipsiness that I can tell in "Free." Instead, this is a song where Flo releases her tension the way that pretty much anyone else has these past two years, whether sober or drunk. Everyone has been feeling anxiety lately, and Flo puts those frazzled feelings to the forefront on "Free"! 

"McKenzie" by Houndmouth: With Houndmouth's tendency to sing about life on the road, I thought "McKenzie" might have been the name of a person OR place. As it turns out, it's the name of a person (I personally prefer the spelling "Mackenzie," but I digress). The song, whose sound is a welcome return to the folks-y roots-rock Houndmouth started out with, is ostensibly a love song, but not one that declares Matt Myers' love for another person, but rather one that vents frustration about how he wants to love the titular McKenzie but can't. Matt reminisces about how they first met over the course of the song's two verses, but it's more of a bittersweet reminiscing than it is nostalgic.

"Run Away" by Jocelyn and Chris: Brother-and-sister blues-rock duo, Jocelyn and Chris, sing of hope gone lost on their latest song, the fiery, Melissa Etheridge-esque song, "Run Away." The song seems to attempt more of a mainstream rock sound that is vaguely "alt" inspired than the blues-y flavor most of their songs have, and the song's rather urgent theme is probably one reason why it sounds like it does. The title, "Run Away," seems to hint at just escaping from having to hold out hope during seemingly hopeless times. Indeed, stress has been hitting many of us quite hard lately, including those with more neurologically stable mindsets. This flame-fueled folk-rock-ish tune might be just what some of us need. 

"Want Want" by Maggie Rogers: Maggie Rogers has been around for a few years now, but "Want Want" marks the first time in her career that both alt and adult alt radio stations have paid attention to her. Perhaps it's the song's propulsive, driving bass line, or maybe it's equally throbbing, synthetic percussion. The song's dynamic performance at the most recent Coachella concert might be yet another reason that "regular" alt stations are finally starting to pay attention to her music. Whatever the reason, though, there's no denying that "Want Want" might just be the catchiest song she's put out yet! Her material is typically more low-key than "Want Want" is. This might earn Maggie a whole new audience, but I'm sure she has no regrets about that!

New songs for June 12th, 2019

here they are:


"Hold Your Nerve" by Boy and Bear: It seems as though with "Hold Your Nerve", Boy and Bear have finally settled on a sound that's just right for them. It is not the folk-rock from early on in their career, but nor is it the more straight ahead rock oriented sound they had three years ago. "Hold Your Nerve" sounds a bit like Fleet Foxes mixed with The Cure. Its synth laden atmosphere provides an ethereal backdrop for both acoustic and electric guitars melding with lead singer Dave Hosking's harmonic vocals. "Hold Your Nerve" is actually a rather nerve wracking story, lyrically speaking. Ever since Dave's career with Boy and Bear started almost a decade ago, he had known something was wrong with him. Initially, people thought it was something akin to depression and anxiety, but the illness gradually became more physical than it was mental or emotional, until eventually, his doctors found out he had a bacterial infection affecting nervous system. Perhaps that's what he's referring to when he says "hold your nerve" in this song!


"Kill In the Cure" by Jocelyn and Chris Arndt: Jocelyn and Chris Arndt's contemporary take on blues-rock gets a slow, churning spin on their latest song, "Kill In the Cure". The guitars and bass chug along slowly by themselves until the drums kick in midway through the song, giving it a mysterious, "edgy" sound. Now, what exactly does Jocelyn mean when she says she's looking for the "kill in the cure"? To be honest, I have no idea. However, I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with British alternative rock group, The Cure!

New songs for April 24th 2019

here they are:


"Almost (Sweet Music)" by Hozier: No need for the "almost" here. This is sweet music all the way through! The Irish soul musician, Hozier, lays it down smooth for us here like he usually does in a song about...well...songs! This song is all about how great music can be, with musical references throughout! Duke Ellington and Chet Baker are among the musicians mentioned in this song, and references to song titles by jazz and vocal greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and (one of my personal faves from childhood), The Mills Brothers are sprinkled throughout the lyrics. This is why music exists!


"Forgive Me Friend" by Smith and Thell: The 2010's "rock" scene has really been more of a combination of folk-pop and electronica. A few musicians, such as the recently deceased Avicii, managed to combine both forms into one. Enter Swedish guy-girl duo, Smith and Thell. They seem to be wanting to pick up where Avicii left off with their debut single, "Forgive Me Friend". The song comes off like a dance remix of Of Monsters and Men's "Little Talks". Nothing daring or different here, but it's still a pleasant song to listen to.


"Outta My Head" by Jocelyn and Chris Arndt: Like Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks before them, Jocelyn and Chris Arndt are a blues-rock duo whose young, light-skinned looks belie their true blues roots and sound. Its catchy riff in the key of B builds the foundation of the song as Jocelyn sings about how she can't get a certain someone "out of (her) head". Good luck trying to get this song out of your own head! It sticks to you like glue, and it has a bit more edge than Tedeschi and Trucks, but just as much grit!


"Sheep" by Mt. Joy: Mt. Joy's third adult alt radio hit has an interesting sound to it. It follows in the folk-rock pattern of their other two songs, especially with the beautiful, entrancing ripple effect of the intro. Afterwards, it slides into more of a retro soul flavor while still keeping a mellow folk-rock vibe. The lyrics to "Sheep" are as intriguing as its sound is. Mt. Joy seems to have a thing for combining laid back music with clever, somewhat biting lyrics. With "Silver Lining", we heard what Mt. Joy thinks of college life, and with "Jenny Jenkins", we heard about Mt. Joy's love-hate relationship with Los Angeles. So what, then, does "Sheep" have to offer us? Well, look no further than its title. The band are using "sheep" as a metaphor for conformists who are ignorant as to what's really going on politically in the U.S. of A. This could well be for Mt. Joy what "Born In the U.S.A." was for Bruce Springsteen. A song that sounds like a joyous anthem that's really anything but!


"This Life" by Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend are known for having reggae and world music influences in their music, and they occasionally flirt with baroque pop, as they did in "Unbelievers" and "Step". With "This Life", Vampire Weekend take their first official foray into folk-rock. The intro sounds a bit like Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl". Its subject matter, however, is much darker than "Brown Eyed Girl", and won't be likely to be played on adult contemporary or oldies stations anytime soon due its use of "Christ" as an exclamation (Though this might be similar to John Lennon's use of the same phrase on "The Ballad of John and Yoko"). That's only the tip of the iceberg as to the darkness this song has to offer, though. The song is about being cheated on. Ezra Koenig is also clever (and/or twisted) enough here to make grim, pessimistic phrases sound like cutesy rhymes. For instance, "I know hate is waiting at the gate", and, "I know death hasn't happened yet." Perhaps this isn't your cup of mud, but hey, as the song title implies, this is what life is! Like Forrest Gump has been known to say, it truly is like a box of chocolates...or in this case, a box of...I dunno...wasabi pellets!


"When I'm Gone" by Gary Clark Jr.: Gary Clark Jr. unleashed a torrent of righteous anger earlier this year with "This Land"! "When I'm Gone" is more mellowed out than that, but still retains the crackling blues-rock sound Gary has become known for. There's a bit of an old school soul vibe in this song as well with its use of rhythm guitar as a backing instrument. Nothing political or controversial about this song. "When I'm Gone" is just a song about what it's like to be apart from a loved one, and probably about being on the road as a musician as well. Perhaps after all that ranting and raving on "This Land", Gary felt the need to unwind for his second single of the year. Well deserved, I say!