Punk & Alternative
This week was a varied one for rock, punk, and alternative. First off, we’re met with a new single from Pop Punk newcomer Knox. While a self-declared Fall Out Boy fan, Knox’s “Not The 1975” will interest fans of early Waterparks. I’ve had this song on repeat since seeing Knox promote the song on the coattails of Taylor Swift’s references to Matty Healy in her recent album. “The 1975” has shot to the top of Knox’s popular songs on Spotify, and it looks like it is going to be a real success for the up-and-coming artist.
Kings of Leon, the band behind the 2010’s hit “Use Somebody,” released a new single entitled “Nothing To Do” this month. “Nothing To Do” combines the sound of the band’s older, more popular music with more traditionally alternative instrumentation, as the song sports strong bass lines and a punchy electric guitar that really shines when the vocals disappear. Kings Of Leon also have an upcoming album to be released in early May, which “Nothing To Do” is set to appear on.
2010’s “Emo Trinity” rejects, Twenty One Pilots, have been releasing singles in preparation for their upcoming album “Clancy.” Their most recent release “Backslide,” is a return to the band’s roots. It sports some more wordy lyrics but keeps the same melodic charm that drew in its initial audience. The track explores themes of fame and the fluidity of relevance in the music industry, in response to the backlash against the band’s penultimate album.
We just received a new single from iconic hard rock band Mötley Crüe this past week, and while the band’s die-hard fans may not be the most pleased with “Dogs Of War,” I was pleasantly surprised. I have never been a Mötley Crüe fan, but I genuinely had a good time with this song. Paying close attention to the track’s instrumentals, I loved the unsettling dissonance created during the verses, followed by Vince Neil’s vocals during the chorus.
Former Beatle, Ringo Starr released a new EP this past week, “Crooked Boy.” The song definitely has Beatles influence in its lyricism and instrumentation, but the EP leans more into rock with some of its sounds. Starr has taken a departure from releasing albums over the past five years, but has been consistently releasing solo tracks since his departure from the Beatles. My personal favorite song from the EP is “February Sky.” Its twangy guitar and layered vocals really stood out to me against the other three songs on the EP.
Alternative band Cold War Kids have an upcoming show at College Street Music Hall on November 2nd, 2024. Opening their show is alternative pop band Husbands, whose discography includes tracks such as “Goop on Ya Grinch.” Cold War Kids released their most recent album in late 2023, and have since followed it with a new EP this past week.
Folk & Country
Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Anne Wilson released the album “REBEL,” with features by Lainey Wilson and Chris Tomlin. This album is patriotic, preaching, and perfect for your Fourth of July playlist.
Zac Brown Band released a new single “Pirates and Parrots,” featuring Mac McAnally, a slow ballad about losing loved ones and reminiscing on the good times together.
Rust by Corey Kent tackles his relationship’s good, bad, and less glamorous sides. Following the release, on Instagram Kent shared, “In a world full of love songs that seem hard to relate to & too good to be true, I wanted to write one that felt real, perfectly imperfect. So I wrote Rust.”
“Only One” by Cassandra Jenkins is an indie-alternative folk single preceding the release of her 13-track album “My Light, My Destroyer,” releasing on streaming platforms July 12th, 2024.
“Questions, Chaos & Faith” is the newest release from black folk singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun that navigates the belief in an afterlife after a loved one is lost.
Niko Moon is an American country pop singer and songwriter who has written songs for Zac Brown Band and Morgan Wallen. His latest release, “Better Days” will tour across the U.S. stopping at Toads’ Place on June 20th, 2024.
Pop & Indie
The first song is by Peach Tree Rascals who Quinnipiac University had for Fall Fest this year, so if you enjoyed their music then you’ll like this new song. The next song is from Girl in Red, it’s pretty catchy. NKOTB released a new song on NKOTB day, April 24th. For those of you that aren’t fans, this song reminds me of one of their old ones, but I can’t remember which one. Then, Twenty One Pilots released “Backslide.” The Chainsmokers and Fridayy released a song called Friday.
Hip-Hop & Rap
“Head.Rap” is easily my favorite song of the week, and my favorite Saba song to drop in a while. It’s only about his hair journey, but in true Saba fashion, he has some super unique rhyme schemes and soulful production from No ID that fills the song out. The features were also pretty interesting with McFerrin singing the intro, Ogi doing the pre-choruses, and one of my favorite budding stars, Jordan Ward, handling the chorus. It’s cohesive, flows well, and gives me a lot of hope for Saba and No ID’s collaborative album that’s supposed to come out in June.
“President” is a very exciting song from Southside and the Opium crew: Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson, signed by record label Opium. It’s filled with lines of silly references like “Suite Life of Zack and Cody” or the “Fantastic Four,” and because it’s Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson, you know the energy is going to be high. It’ll be tough not to bounce your head to the beat that starts with horns but explodes with some crazy synths during the chorus. If you’re trying to bump your head, this song should be a go-to.
Even though I’m personally not the biggest fan of Bladee, one of my friends put me on this first song, “Paranoia,” since it’s produced by F1lthy, who I am a fan of. F1lthy handles Bladee’s genre of cloud rap well on this song, with ethereal synths accompanying Bladee’s melodies. If you were ever going to give Bladee or Drain Gang a try, I’ve been told this is a great accessible album.
I had never heard of Galantis outside of their mega-hit, “Runaway (U & I)”, but this song, “Dust” is very cool. It’s about how life and love are both fleeting, but you have to make the most of it. A pretty existential concept for a dance club song, but in my opinion, it sticks the landing. The tonality of the voice is very distinct, and the piano and strings throughout the song are a great touch. Galantis is also dropping an album on May 17th, so you should check it out!
Offset gets a brand-new verse on Killer Mike’s remix of “EXIT 9,” which I still haven’t gotten the chance to hear the original yet. I was pleasantly surprised by Blxst’s hook ability on this one. Offset’s verse is pretty good as he laments friends and family that have died. Killer Mike’s verses are solid, but the production on this one is much different than the route he usually goes. A soft organ complements the three artists on what is a calm, yet beautiful track.
