New songs for August 26th, 2020

 here they are:

"Be An Astronaut" by Declan McKenna: Be an astronaut?! Ummm...sure! Why not?! I always wanted to be one when I was little! Declan McKenna's third adult alt radio single to date actually differs significantly from his previous two in a few ways. Both the atmospheric piano-pop sound and outer space lyrical theme seems to have been inspired rock songs from the early '70s about similar topics, most notably David Bowie's "Life On Mars?" and Elton John's "Rocket Man". Piano-pop is not a sound Declan has covered before, but he seems to be doing a good job at it so far, throwing a bit of influence from Queen's Brian May during the surprise guitar solo in the middle of "Be An Astronaut." Being an astronaut seems to be the final fate of the song's character, as narrator Declan states that this character will "do that or die trying." British rock hasn't had this much grandeur or sci-fi exploration for quite a long time, so it is refreshing to hear a song like this one!

"Identical" by Phoenix: This song has been getting a lot of buzz lately around the alt and adult alt communities for a few reasons. First of all, it's Phoenix! Ever since they broke through to the mainstream with "1901" back in 2009, it seems like everything they've done since has been major news, and this is no exception! The other reason, though, is because Phoenix's latest song, "Identical", is part of the soundtrack to the Sofia Coppola directed Bill Murray dramedy film, "On the Rocks." The combo of Sofia Coppola and Bill Murray working on the same project would not sound out of place in a Wes Anderson film. Phoenix have tackled quirky '60s-ish pop before, like their cover of The Beach Boys' "Alone On Christmas Day", so a Wes Anderson style SONG could have worked here as well. However, Phoenix have opted for their usual electro-pop sound on "Identical". The lyrics of "Identical" seem to be a "word salad" of sorts, like most of Phoenix's material, so it might be worth noting that the key of this song is D major, as opposed to the usual F major and C major tunes Phoenix have done.

"Own Alone" by Bahamas: For a group (or rather, a one-man band) named for an island, Bahamas typically have a chill, tropical vibe to their music. The guitar in "Own Alone" suggests this tropical sound, but its beat is far more zippy and almost ska-like in comparison to most of Bahamas' other material. The song chorus is interestingly contradictory (perhaps on purpose), with the lyrics, "I'm on my own, but I'm not alone." This lyric lends itself to many interpretations. My best guess would be that it means that the lead singer is facing something by himself, but he still has other people to back him up on whatever his quest is, which isn't made too clear in the context of the song. What really makes this song stand out, though, is the ace guitar playing, lasting about a minute long and more complex and freewheeling than Bahamas' other material!


"Video Game" by Sufjan Stevens: Though this song starts out with synth-y music that wouldn't be out of place in an actual video game, eclectic indie-folk star, Sufjan Stevens, is merely using the term "video game" as a metaphor here. Specifically, he is viewing collective contemporary society as a "gamer" that controls his every move. He is reflecting here on how we have become a society dependent upon the approval of others, when we should really just be our own people and do our own things. Sufjan, being a Christian, uses a few Christian metaphors in this song, even starting the song with the lyrics, "I don't wanna be your personal Jesus", using a phrase popularized by synth-rock group, Depeche Mode. He also uses phrases like "believer" and "redeemer", both referring here to himself and who he wants to be in his life. Perhaps that means God is a gamer?! Sounds like a Far Side comic strip in the making to me! 

New songs for August 19th, 2020

 here they are:

"AUATC" by Bon Iver: The title of this song is short for "Ate Up All Their Cake". Mmm...cake! The song itself doesn't have much to do with cake, though, so what gives?! Well, it's probably an extended metaphor referring to those who "have their cake and eat it too." Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, along with an eclectic roster of guests ranging from rock legend Bruce Springsteen to millennial indie-pop star Jenny Lewis, are urging people everywhere to rebuild society in a way that's less greedy and more inclusive. Why Justin Vernon sounds like Alvin and The Chipmunks reaching puberty in this song is anyone's guess, as he doesn't normally sound like that, but the song's message is a good one to heed nonetheless. "AUATC" is an odd song for Bon Iver (and company). It could be described as a quirky Bruce Hornsby soundalike that's trying to work on a millennial update of "We Are the World". 

"Do You Think We'll Last Forever?" by Caroline Rose: The title of this funky, Prince-esque song by indie-pop diva, Caroline Rose, might sound like a lovesick, romantic plea, but it actually isn't. It is actually a song fueled by Caroline's inner anxiety when it comes to matters of the heart. She is not asking, "Do you think we'll last forever?" in a doe-eyed way in the manner one might expect from a pop performer, but rather in a way that conveys potential doubt, as in, "Do you THINK we'll last forever...or will this just be another brief, meaningless fling?" I hear ya, Caroline. Romance can be very trying and hard to figure out sometimes! While the music seems to have a "look how super cool I am" kind of boastfulness to it, the lyrics reveal a deeper, more emotional meaning.

"Don't Walk Away" by The Heavy Hours: The Heavy Hours are anything but heavy. They're really more of a laid-back kind of group that combines folk, country, and rock with a little bit of soul, at least in this song. The song seems to be one of assurance, in spite of its urgent title. The song seems like one to listen to when you're in need of a "breather" during the day, but that's about all it seems to have going for it. Surprised that The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach produced this one, as it doesn't seem to have his typical sense of energy and rawness.

"High Feeling" by Cordovas: This song is yet another that was produced by a member of a fellow band I've reviewed on this website, Black Pumas' Adrian Quesada. Where The Black Keys have been around for over a decade now (and so it would make sense that their sound might slowly be wearing thin by now), Black Pumas just debuted two years ago, and their sense of soulfulness sounds very fresh on "High Feeling", the debut single from Cordovas. The guitar on the song is Adrian's, which makes sense given both how rhythmic and how blues-y it sounds. The vocals are from country-rock musician, Joe Firstman, who has had hits on adult alt radio before, but so far, none of them have sounded quite as powerful as this one has! As the chorus of this song states, you'll "never wanna come down" after listening to this song!

"Ocean Bed" by Darlingside: Folk-rock group, Darlingside, came during the wake of the neo-folk-rock boom in 2012, the same year that bands like The Lumineers and Of Monsters & Men were first getting attention. However, Darlingside failed to make the impact that those two groups made on the music world. I had known Darlingside previously for their bouncy, quirky, folks-y cover of the classic Smashing Pumpkins tune, "1979". Come 2020, and it seems like Darlingside still haven't broken out of the early 2010's neo-folk-rock sound. Darlingside's "Ocean Bed" seems lined with gentle clapping, lovely harmonies, and lush string instrumentation everywhere. That sound just hasn't been on the airwaves in awhile, perhaps largely because many of the bands who originated it went on to experiment with other kinds of sounds, but Darlingside's "Ocean Bed" has a sound as calming and buoyant as the ocean itself, tucked away in a snug corner of the radio airwaves!

"Preach" by Saint Motel: To date, Saint Motel have had three singles on adult alt radio, and they all have something in common with one another - they all make you wanna dance! Their fourth Triple A radio single, "Preach", is no exception to the rule! From the moment that the blaring, funky horns in the opening of the song take charge, "Preach" is a non-stop dance fest! Even the lyrics center around dancing in this song! For instance, the last two lines of the second verse are, "A hip's gotta sway/So shake it like your mama and seven-day pray." So what are you waiting for?! Get down with your bad self and boogie!

"The Let Go" by Elle King: For awhile, it seemed like all Elle King could do was energetic, catchy songs. There's nothing wrong with this, of course, as one of those songs, "Ex's and Oh's", ended up becoming one of the biggest hits of the 2010's! However, Elle's latest song, "The Let Go", shows a more sensitive side to the singer who brought a blues-y growl and swagger to the alterna-pop world of the 2010's. Only the chorus hints even slightly at something energetic. The rest of the song showcases a vulnerable, sensitive side to Elle as she tells of a relationship that left her wounded. This is also the first Elle King song I've heard with no drums in the background, only guitar (though it is electric guitar, not acoustic). Elle certainly lets go in this song by releasing her inner demons like she never has before! 

New songs for August 12th, 2020

 here they are:

"Burn Too Bright" by Laura Veirs: It's been 7 years since we last heard from indie-folk-rocker, Laura Veirs (by herself, at least - she was also part of indie-folk supergroup, case, lang, and veirs, back in 2016), and it feels like it's been even longer ago than that. I was not expecting to hear new material from her any time soon, yet here it is. Underneath the quirky upbeat vibes of her latest song, "Burn Too Bright", there lies an undercurrent of darkness, perhaps because the song is essentially a eulogy to Richard Swift, one of Laura's record producers and a member of indie-pop sensations, The Shins, for 6 years. Swift died two years ago from alcohol complications when he was only a year past 40. I had no idea until today that Laura has been a mother for about a decade now, but she has, and that probably just makes matters worse for her in light of both losing a close friend two years ago and losing her marriage just one year later. Here's hoping Laura continues to burn brightly in this world, but not too bright!

"Club Zero" by The Go-Go's: As both a Southern California native and as someone whose father has connections to the L.A. punk scene, it makes me proud that 2020 has been a great year for members of that very scene. In spring of this year, Los Angelean punk rock poets, X, made a surprise splash onto the fringes of adult alt radio with the spiky yet catchy "Alphabetland." Now it's The Go-Go's turn at bat. Both X and The Go-Go's moved away from punk later on, branching out into folk-rock and pop/rock respectively, yet 2020 has found both groups returning to their punk roots. With The Go-Go's being the flashy, bubbly group they are, there's a bit of a pop influence to their latest song, "Club Zero", but it's also the band's hardest rocking song since "We Got the Beat", perhaps even a little harder edged than that one was! You might be wondering why the song is called what it's called. There is no actual location known as Club Zero (that I know of), but there was the Zero Zero Club in Hollywood that existed during The Go-Go's heyday, which is how the song derived its name. There might also be an undercurrent of nihilism to the title of the song, as well as a sense of rebellion of, to quote the group's Jane Wiedlin, "zero f**ks given", the unapologetically brash attitude of both this song and the era it was created in!

"Double Denim Hop" by Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard: Here's another rock and roll throwback, this time more evocative of the swingin' sounds of the early to mid-1970's. Groups like Sweet, Foghat, Steve Miller Band, and Thin Lizzy seemed to influence the retro sounds of this song with an equally retro title. The title of the song was just thought up on a whim when the lead singer happened to be wearing double denim (which all four members sport in the song's music video). He posted his trendy look on Instagram, referred to it as, "that double denim hop", and thus, a new rock song with an old rock sound was born! One more thing. The band's name IS "Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard". Is that anything like "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"?! WHOA, holy cow, there he is! How'd Beetlejuice get here?!

"Just Because I Can" by Lissie: It has now been a decade since indie-folk-rocker, Lissie, first graced adult alt radio with her debut record, and its Triple A radio hits, "In Sleep", and "When I'm Alone." Her latest track, "Just Because I Can", is meant to be a retrospective to the year she debuted on the music scene. A bittersweet indie-folk ballad, "Just Because I Can" illustrates the struggle Lissie went through and eventually achieved to gain both recognition and independence as a musician. 2010 seems a little soon to be nostalgic for, but Lissie has already developed a nostalgia for that year and the importance it played in helping her break through to a small yet very dedicated audience that seems to have grown bigger every year since. I love how moving this song is, and how much strength and dedication was put into it!

"What You Gonna Do?" by Bastille (featuring Blur's Graham Coxon): It may be Bastille's Dan Smith on lead vocals here, but "What You Gonna Do?" is clearly a Graham Coxon song as far as its instrumentation is concerned! The song contains far more guitar licks than pretty much any Bastille song I've heard so far! I must say, I'm pretty impressed by the punchy power pop vibes this song has. Its brief, two-and-a-half minute length also distinguishes it from other Bastille songs, which often run roughly between three-and-a-half to four minutes. Both the length and sound of "What You Gonna Do?" were intentionally meant to be different from most of Bastille's other material. Dan Smith has acknowledged just what a chaotic year this has been so far, and "What You Gonna Do?" was meant to be a quick moment of fun, goofy escapism from an otherwise troubled world. So what you gonna do? Rock out and dance my butt off, that's what! 

New songs for August 5th, 2020

Here they are: 

"Ferris Wheel" by Sylvan Esso: After having collaborated earlier this year with fellow indie groups like Real Estate and Local Natives, Sylvan Esso have now made the decision to strike out on their own in the middle of summer! And nothing says "summer" like a Ferris wheel, right? Well, back when we were allowed to go out more in public, that is. Anyway, "Ferris Wheel" is a happy, upbeat indie-pop tune dominated by synthesizers that attempts to evoke sweet memories of summers past. From the title of the song to mentions of "tilt-a-whirling", not to mention multiple mentions of hot, steamy weather, "Ferris Wheel" captures the essence of summer, albeit with the title of the song serving as a potential metaphor for the ups and downs of relationships. "August in the heat" is the perfect opening line for a song released in early August like this one was, by the way! 

"Is It True?" by Tame Impala: Another memory of summers past that won't likely happen for too many this year is probably having summer parties, for a lot of people. Tame Impala's latest song, "Is It True?", is a song that seems designed for parties! Imagine a bunch of people out by a pool or a beach forming a conga line. That's the basic feel of "Is It True?" The song itself, meanwhile, attempts to answer the question of whether Kevin Parker's partner truly loves him or not. The answer given is simply "we'll see", repeated enough times to comprise the third and final minute of the song. As the weather heats up, so does love! Tame Impala's latest tune plays out like a techno-pop soap opera that never truly gets resolved! 

"It Ain't Easy" by Delta Spirit: Delta Spirit have always sounded a little "retro", with one foot in the '70s and the other in the present day. The mellow, '70s inspired sound of Delta Spirit's "It Ain't Easy" is nothing new for them. However, it is the first Delta Spirit song I've heard where acoustic guitar is clearly audible, particularly during the intro. It's also a surprisingly bittersweet, minor key track for Delta Spirit, who are normally more sunny and major key (even when the subject matter is darker, like in "Bushwick Blues"). This song is yet another in a long line of songs for this year (and possibly the next) to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Delta Spirit were set to have their reunion tour this year after having made the decision to reunite two years prior, but of course, just as things were starting to look up for the band, their decision ended up getting postponed. "I found it hard to be myself without your help" seems to be a central line in this song, too. Sad the way things work out sometimes, isn't it?

New songs for July 29th, 2020

here they are:


"Care" by Beabadoobee: First off, let's get one thing straight. If you're having trouble pronouncing the stage name of this musician, just pretend you're scatting. It's literally "Bee-yah-bah-doo-bee". Anyway, if you're getting Alanis Morissette or Garbage type of vibes from Beabadoobee's breakthrough summer hit, "Care", Beatrice Kristi Laus (a.k.a. Beabadoobee) claims that this was intentional. It was supposed to sound like the ending song of a '90s coming-of-age movie. As for the lyrics of the song, those are definitely more millennial than they are reflective of the '90s. The song basically came about as a result of being in lockdown, and how Laus wants people to understand that getting through it has been difficult. "Care" is also directed at how ignorant society can be in general towards people with specific mental and/or psychological problems. However, she does not want people to feel sorry for her. As someone with such problems myself, I feel like I can identify with her. I don't want people feeling "sorry" that I have Asperger syndrome. I just want people to know what it's like! I think this song can speak for many people out there who feel misunderstood, including a lot of my closest friends!


"Five More Minutes" by The War and Treaty: The three and a half minutes of The War and Treaty's "Five More Minutes" are soulful, as one might expect from the Nashville husband-and-wife duo. The soulful flavor of this song differs a little bit from "Are You Ready to Love Me?", the only other song I've heard so far from The War and Treaty. Where that song was kind of a country/soul combo, "Five More Minutes" seems like pure Memphis soul (even though it was recorded in Nashville)! Elements of musicians like Otis Redding and Booker T. Washington can be heard in "Five More Minutes". The song is a short but passionate plea for romance that rejuvenates and cleanses the spirit in a way that only good ol' Southern soul music can do!


"Patience" by Chris Cornell: As one of the leaders of the grunge movement, it should come as no surprise that the late Chris Cornell was a Guns 'N' Roses fan. This song is a cover of one of the few acoustic rock songs in G 'N' R's career, released posthumously, as Chris Cornell has not been around since summer of 2017. "Patience" is probably one of the few truly sincere songs in the G 'N' R catalog, although "Sweet Child O' Mine", a love song written about Erin Everly (whose dad was Don from '50s country-rock group, The Everly Brothers), comes close. "Patience" is not a love song, though. It is simply a song that tries to offer hope in times of darkness. As Chris Cornell is but a rock and roll ghost as of now (and he's performing a cover of a song over 30 years old), there is no way that "Patience" could possibly be about the pandemic we're currently going through, but it is one of many songs that can give us hope during this time! This song could not have been released at a better time!


"Scarlet" by The Rolling Stones (featuring Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page): It seems as though The Rolling Stones have decided to start this decade off in a similar way to how they started the last one - by releasing a song from one of their classic albums that was previously unavailable on said album! In 2010, they unveiled "Plundered My Soul", an outtake from "Exile on Main Street". Ten years later, they have released "Scarlet", a previously unreleased track from their 1973 album, "Goat's Head Soup". With help from Led Zeppelin's ace guitarist, Jimmy Page, The Stones have unleashed yet another boozy, bluesy rocker about a girl who "wears her heart on (Mick Jagger)'s sleeve." Seems like one of the many notorious Stones songs that aren't exactly favorable towards women as far as the lyrics are concerned, but darn it all if any aspiring electric guitarist doesn't wanna rock out to this tune! "Scarlet" is a crackling, fiery tune, just as its title suggests that it is!

New songs for July 22nd, 2020

here they are:


"Feel You" by My Morning Jacket: The most anticipated new song of the week is also one of the longest! Clocking it at six and a half minutes total, My Morning Jacket's "Feel You" is a song that combines MMJ's soft and sensitive side with their more freewheeling jam band aspects. "All I want to do is feel you", Jim James sings passionately during the chorus of the song. Does he mean in the literal sense or in a more metaphorical one? Who knows?! What we do know is that "Feel You" is essentially Jim James' way of putting verbal and auditory meditation into song. He does it so well! Though I can do without the last two and half minutes of excess instrumentation. Other than that, perfection at its finest!


"For Sure" by Future Islands: Future Islands are like the 2010's (and 2020's) answer to what Roxy Music were in the 1970's and '80s, a band that takes synthesizer sounds and echo-y guitar riffs in the background and puts them to use in an ultra-chill atmosphere. "Seasons (Waiting On You)" did so beautifully and epically in 2014, and "Ran" did almost as well three years later using the same techniques. On "For Sure", Future Islands once again have an ultra-smooth, new wave-y, vaguely smooth jazz/rock-ish tune in the key of D sharp/E flat. The song seems to both reminisce on and question the value of relationships. The words "for sure" are never actually mentioned in the song's lyrics, so what exactly Samuel Herring means by it is left to our imaginations!


"Strange Girl" by Laura Marling: The title of this song could arguably describe Laura herself! She is indeed a "strange girl", enigmatic, sensitive, and keeping largely to herself about a number of love affairs gone wrong (among them, relationships with fellow indie-folk-rockers from groups like Noah & The Whale and Mumford & Sons). But who does "Strange Girl" actually refer to? As far as I can tell, it probably DOES refer to Laura herself. In this surprisingly upbeat folk-rock number, she refers to herself using a large amount of mostly negative adjectives during the chorus, such as "strange", "angry", and "lonely", while assuring herself that this "strange" girl is loved in spite of her flaws. I've never known a song to be both bittersweet and funny, but this song might just fit such a description!


"Victory" by The Avett Brothers: In spite of its uplifting title, "Victory" is probably one of the saddest songs The Avett Brothers ever recorded, albeit not without a sense of redemption and reassurance. "Of course, I was forced to retreat", Seth Avett sings during the chorus, following it up with, "From victory I accept defeat." He does not make specific what his victory is for or against, but more than likely, he's probably recalling his experiences with either drugs, romantic relationships, or perhaps both, and how they have left him high and dry as a result. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is surrender to your vices. Nowhere is that clearer in The Avett Brothers' catalog than in "Victory"!


"Who Do You Think You're Talking To?" by Dawes: After starting off as a roots-y folk-rock act about a decade ago, Dawes have taken an eclectic route in their music ever since, becoming something of a 2010's answer to the 2000's My Morning Jacket, without as overt an emphasis on drugs. That being said, did you ever think Dawes would take on power pop or new wave?! I didn't! Until now, that is. Dawes' latest song, "Who Do You Think You're Talking To?" comes off sounding a bit like one of the more upbeat tracks on Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." mixed with bits and pieces of songs from The Cars like "Shake It Up" and "You Might Think." The song itself is basically an argument between two people on the brink of a breaking relationship, as can be inferred from the title. The topic, though, bears little importance in comparison to the relentlessly upbeat and somewhat self-consciously cheesy (yet still fully charged and rockin') music of the song!

New songs for July 8th, 2020

here they are:


"Can't Do Much" by Waxahatchee: Waxahatchee had one of the most unexpectedly catchy adult alt radio hits of the year with "Lilacs" this spring. The song's buoyant, sunny country-rock sound was a breath of fresh air for both Waxahatchee fans and adult alt/indie-folk fans in general. Their next adult alt radio hit, "Can't Do Much", follows in a similar pattern to "Lilacs". "Can't Do Much" is yet another country-rock tune, a bit unusual for the normally edgier material of Waxahatchee, but it's probably given them more fans than ever as a result (including me). "Can't Do Much" is essentially a love song with slightly odd lyrics. The chorus of the song starts out average enough, as love songs go, with "I want you all the time", but Katie Crutchfield immediately follows that line with "sanity nullified." So Katie wants an insane love, eh?! Well, she'd better watch out!


"I Remember Everything" by John Prine: There seems to have been a pattern of rock and pop musicians being aware of their own death and putting that painful awareness into song in the past few years. David Bowie and Leonard Cohen both had such songs with "Lazarus" and "You Want It Darker", respectively, and a year later, Gregg Allman had one with "My Only True Friend". The clever, tongue-in-cheek folk-rocker, John Prine, departed the Earth a few months ago, and "I Remember Everything" seems to be his way of waving a bittersweet goodbye to all his fans. The song has the darkness of the Bowie and Cohen songs, but it also has the forlorn sense of country-rock pathos the Gregg Allman song had. Evoking rustic, nature-like images, John Prine looks back on the last year of his life with a view that is both endearing and sad. Prine was one of a kind and he will truly be missed!


"Mariana Trench" by Bright Eyes: If "Persona Non Grata", Bright Eyes' song from earlier this year, seemed like too much of a weary dirge for you, then perhaps "Mariana Trench" might be more up your alley. In typical Bright Eyes fashion, most of "Mariana Trench" seems pretty cynical in terms of both its lyrical content and musical atmosphere, but it tries to inject at least a bit more pep into its sound than "Persona Non Grata" did. Perhaps it helps that none other than Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers plays bass on this track. The thumping of the bass is pretty noticeable here, but on this song, it bobs with an ebb and flow, as opposed to the "slapping" technique Flea is known for. The lyrics of "Mariana Trench" create vivid imagery within the mind, especially during the chorus when Conor Oberst mentions Mount Everest and the 405 Freeway, in addition to the titular location.


"Turn Off the TV" by Old 97's: This rowdy, Tom Petty-esque song from Rhett Miller's country-rock/roots-rock ensemble, Old 97's, is full of references! Fitting to its title, their newest song, "Turn Off the TV", only mentions one show ("Kids in the Hall", in the first verse). The very next line mentions alternative rock icons like The Pixies and T. Rex. The intent central to the song, though, is just Rhett Miller wanting to get with a girl he admires. You already have sex and rock & roll mentioned in this song, and aptly, one of the other references in this song is to Jim Beam alcohol. There you have it: sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll! Contrary to its title, this song really doesn't have that much to do with TV, does it?


"Where to Start" by Bully: Just the name "bully" probably makes you think of either a punk band or a heavy metal group. Of the two, Bully's "Where to Start" evokes the former of the two genres. The song is a righteously ticked off punk tune, and one done by a lady, not a fellow, who bears a strange resemblance to cartoon voice actress, Tara Strong. Right from the beginning of this tune, you can feel the anger of lead singer, Alicia Bognanno, as she sings, "I don't know where to start with you!" The song seems to be about falling in love with someone you don't really want to fall in love with. Sigh...I can relate!


"Worry" by Songhoy Blues: Hailing from the African nation of Mali, Songhoy Blues deliver upbeat, spicy blues-rock in their debut song, "Worry". The song is not about worrying, though. In fact, the urgent plea in the chorus is "DON'T worry". With the song's blazing guitar riffs, you can't help but clap your hands and tap your feet along to this song as you start to lose your worries just by listening to this song! The aim of this song is to get people to find hope in times of darkness. Mission accomplished, I say!


"You're Not Alone" by Semisonic: Semisonic, Dan Wilson's half post-grunge and half power pop trio, have only one hit to speak of for most people, and that is "Closing Time", a song that came out over 20 years ago! That Semisonic took roughly around that long to reunite (or that they even DID reunite) is probably quite a surprise to most fans of the band, but they did it! Their latest song, "You're Not Alone", is rife with '90s rock influence, fitting to the era they were most popular in. Fans of groups like Better than Ezra, Third Eye Blind, and Marvelous 3 will probably like this song a lot! Lead singer Dan Wilson actually made a name for himself as a pop music songwriter for successful musicians such as Adele and Taylor Swift during his time apart from Semisonic, so I was a little skeptical as to how good this song might be, but it's really good! As an avid fan of '90s rock, I must say I'm mighty pleased by this song! As can be inferred from the title, Dan Wilson and co wanted their fans to feel comforted during these recent times of crisis. This is how "You're Not Alone" came about. I'm just glad that it did!