here they are:
"Good Times" by The Lone Bellow: A song called "Good Times" oughta be upbeat, and that's exactly what "Good Times" by The Lone Bellow is. An uplifting indie-folk-pop song, "Good Times" is a simple but meaningful song that recalls conversations the group members have had with both one another and with people outside the band. One thing that sets this song apart from other Lone Bellow songs is its prominent use of horns, as well as its electric guitar solo in the middle.
"Time (You And I)" by Khruangbin: Late last year might have been the first time many people heard about Khruangbin through their collaboration with neo-soul musician, Leon Bridges. Perhaps Leon's soulful vibes rubbed off on Khruangbin on their latest song, "Time (You And I)", which itself sounds like it could be a song off one of Leon Bridges' later albums. The song's mid-'70s funk influenced sound gives it a very upbeat, danceable sound. For a little over five and a half minutes, the song's lyrics repeat, and not just in English either. As the song progresses, they also get to French, Portuguese, and at least one East Asian language, perhaps to emphasize how its simple message of love is a universal one. The song's avant-funk sound brings to mind musicians like Prince and Funkadelic.
"Time Stands" by Nathaniel Rateliff: The third song this week with the word "time" in its title is a mellower track than the others. Without The Night Sweats backing him up, Nathaniel Rateliff seems to create more melancholy folk-rock songs, as opposed to the spirited brand of retro R & B that most fans of his were initially acquainted with. "Time Stands" continues in the folk-rock pattern for Nathaniel, and is the most bittersweet song I've heard from him yet. It is a yearning song that seems to wonder if things will be alright without ever answering that question. No one seems to know where time stands anymore, so "Time Stands" has arrived for us just in time (no pun intended).
"Upside Down" by Mondo Cozmo: Most of the songs from this week were actually songs released earlier in the year from albums that already had singles. "Upside Down" by Mondo Cozmo is not such a song. It was thought up last month and is one of a growing number of songs that has been written in response to our current pandemic. "Everything is upside down", Joshua Ostrander sings during the chorus. What he means, as you might have guessed, is that nothing seems to make sense anymore. Instead of lamenting this, though, Joshua decides to make the most of it, turning his thoughts of uncertainty into a party anthem that starts out with half-sung/half-spoken lyrics recalling songs like Beck's "Loser" and Cage the Elephant's "Ain't No Rest For the Wicked". I'm all for creativity, but I still wish things turn right side up sooner than later.
