here they are:
"Alpha Zulu" by Phoenix: Phoenix sure have interesting titles for their songs! The title for this one is literally the letters "A" and "Z" in military code! The significance of this phrase in this catchy and surprisingly dark electro-pop/rock song is fitting with its apocalyptic theme, and it's also the first Phoenix song I've heard written in minor key instead of major. According to Phoenix's lead singer, Thomas Mars, the phrase "Alpha Zulu" in the context of the song is basically another way of saying, "Mayday! We're going down!" The song seems to be about how difficult modern times are for many people, and how we are desperate to cling to visions of a more idealistic realm in order to feel safe. It's the end of the world as we know it, but unlike R.E.M., Phoenix do not appear to "feel fine." This song is urgent, and for a good reason!
"Dance Around It" by Lucius (featuring Brandi Carlile Sheryl Crow): Lucius may be duetting with two roots-y folk-rockers on their latest song, but "Dance Around It," in case you hadn't already guessed from the title, is not a folk or roots-rock song! Apt to its title, "Dance Around It" has a very vibrant, dance-pop sound to it! It is a relentlessly happy song whose intention is to bring about happiness (and dancing) to its listeners. Lucius' main members, Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, say that the point of "Dance Around It" is to "dance through the darkness." In other words, to take the bad times many of us have gone through recently, and to counteract those with fun, feel-good music. Sounds good to me!
"Expectations" by Lo Moon: Known for their soothing, atmospheric indie-pop sound, "Expectations" is a song that will defy your (pun intended) expectations of Lo Moon! The song is much more upbeat than the typically slow songs Lo Moon usually come up with. Setting the time machine to about 35 years ago for both its "Take on Me"-esque sound and its bittersweet lyrics reflecting on teen years (as many John Hughes films were known for doing back then), "Expectations" is a song that will probably appeal to fans of Stranger Things and other '80s-centric memorabilia that are actually present-day phenomena. "It's getting kinda hard not to blame myself," lead singer Matt Lowell mournfully sings towards the end of the song, perhaps to acknowledge how the song is not nostalgic in a sweet way, but more in a cynical manner.
"Make a Picture" by Andrew Bird: Do you like indie-folk/pop musicians who use orchestral string instruments prominently in their songs? Great! Do you like kitties?! Even better! Perhaps it's the "running on the streets like feral cats" in the first verse that caused Andrew to make the decision for his latest video for his song, "Make a Picture," or perhaps it's just the quirkiness of Andrew Bird. Whatever the reason, though, this is the cutest music video I've seen in a long time! Fitting to the song's title, "Make a Picture"'s video also deals with taking photographs...but seriously. How can I not love a music video with KITTIES in it?! Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XdqCjtveTw
"Talk" by beabadoobee: None of beabadoobee's songs really sound like they belong in the midst of the 21st century as much as they would towards the end of the 20th. Her latest song, "Talk," is no exception to the rule, evoking heavy influence from such '90s alt-rock heavyweights as Garbage and Smashing Pumpkins. The subject matter of the song would not be out of place in a '90s alt song either. It is about Beatrice "beabadoobee" Laus being in a relationship with someone whom she knows is bad for her, but she wants to be in it anyway, and the overall tone of the song seems to be somewhere between apathetic and angst-ridden.
"Turn Up the Sunshine" by Diana Ross (featuring Tame Impala): The soul singer who reigned "Supreme" in the 1960's with two other women backing her up has returned for the first time in many, many years with indie-pop/rock sensations, Tame Impala, for a song from the Minions: The Rise of Gru soundtrack. Tame Impala provide the electro-pop backbeat of the song, but it's clear that this song is mainly Diana's from both her strong vocal presence and equally strong '70s funk inspired choice of music! The soundtrack of the latest movie featuring the quirky, gibberish-speaking...things...that look like Homer Simpson's head with one eye seems to take place in the 1970's, judging from the classic soul and classic rock hits being covered on the soundtrack, all by indie-pop artists from the 2010's. Seems like they're attempting to do for 1970's pop music what Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks did for its own music: taking music from the past and giving it a "modern rock" twist (the Schoolhouse Rock tribute album featured mainly '90s alt-rock artists since it was released in the middle of the decade). For "Turn Up the Sunshine," the people behind the Minions and Despicable Me movies took the extra liberty of bringing in an actual musician who was popular in the 1970's, and not just someone covering music from that era. "Turn Up the Sunshine" is also an entirely original tune, making it that much fresher. With Diana being only two years shy of 80, it's amazing that she's still able to sound as funky fresh as she was in her younger years!
