Pop & Indie:
CONCERT: 2/11/25 – Eric Bellinger @ Toads
Shawn Mendes released his new album, “Shawn” on November 15. I really enjoyed the track titled “The Mountain.” It’s about changing and not caring what others think. The song is so different from the music I think of from Mendes. The music I know from him is from when I had cutouts of J-14 magazine covering my walls. He has definitely grown as an artist since then and this song is a great example of that.
I love Bleachers!! This week Bleachers released a Christmas song called, “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call.” For those that don’t know Bleachers, they are a band created by the one and only Jack Antonoff, yup the Jack Antonoff that works with artists such as Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey. Antonoff was also part of the band “fun.” releasing songs such as “We Are Young” and “Some Nights.” Bleachers’ music is different from all of those artists but it’s still amazing. This song is definitely not all holly jolly like many christmas songs, Bleachers don’t really fit in that vibe. Jack Antonoff describes this song as being for “anyone who has come to realize someone’s been chipping away at them and does not intend to stop.” He also said it “tell[s] the story of someone you don’t want around” and “hold[s] the hope of rearranging one’s life.” It’s important to note this song could definitely be listened to year round. I think it’s an incredible song that I can’t wait to add to my holiday playlist.
An artist I don’t know much about is Lauv, but I do know their new song “Because Of You” is amazing. The song was played on tour despite being unreleased and fans are so excited to be able to listen whenever they want. I really enjoyed this song, I like the vibe and find it to be super catchy.
Bon Jovi has collaborated with Pitbull to release “Now Or Never,” a remix of the iconic song, “It’s My Life.” I think this remix is great, I find Pitbull’s parts to be kind of funny, he mentions Frank Sinatra a lot. It’s a fun reimagining of a great song, I definitely recommend giving it a listen.
Punk & Alternative:
CONCERT: 2/25 – Liliac @ Space Ballroom
After months of careful waiting, Linkin Park’s long-awaited album “From Zero” released on November 15. The new album marks the band’s first album featuring new vocalist Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara, replacing the band’s previous lead vocalist Chester Bennington, who unfortunately passed in 2017, causing the band’s indefinite hiatus. The title, “From Zero,” is a nod to the band’s meager beginnings, playing on the band’s original name, “Xero.” “From Zero” really has something for everyone, featuring tracks that lean towards the pop-rock genre, and some that lean more metal. While not all 11 tracks are stand-out winners, the album is well rounded with different sonic styles and feature both Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda in ways that make them shine.
Grunge band Superheaven, formerly known as “Daylight” has just released its first new music in nearly 10 years. The single, “Long Gone” released on November 12, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band, the release coinciding with their signing to Blue Grape Music. Superheaven initially formed in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in 2008 as “Daylight” and released its debut EP “Sinking” in 2009. The band was marked as an up-and-coming grunge band, but took an extended hiatus after its second album, “Ours Is Chrome.” This new release features heavy guitar and haunting melodies that remind us what made the band a staple of modern rock/shoegaze in the 2010s. With the band’s new release, it’s also hitting the road and going on a North American tour with The Story So Far and Koyo,
Long Island grunge band Koyo released its newest single “Mile A Minute” on November 12. Koyo notably draws influences from other Long Island bands like Taking Back Sunday and Glassjaw—blending nostalgic hooks with hardcore vocals. This track is an amazing example of the band’s signature blend of high-energy percussive drum beats and guitar riffs that just take you back to the 2000s. The band formed and released its debut EP in 2020, signed a record deal with Pure Noise Records in 2022, and released its debut album “Would You Miss It?” in 2023. The band is also hitting the road with Superheaven on a North American tour to support The Story So Far.
Folk & Country:
CONCERT: 2/14 – Greensky Bluegrass @ College Street Music Hall
On November 15 Ringo Starr released his second song from his upcoming album “Look Up,” the single “Thankful” features country legend Alison Krauss. Starr has always been a country boy at heart even back in his Beatles days, covering Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” in 1965, this upcoming album will be his fourth country album. “Thankful” has come just in time for Thanksgiving, it is a song all about being grateful for the things you have and remembering to be thankful for the love in your life. “Thankful” is an easy listen, Starr and Krauss sound great together, it is definitely worth a listen.
The Grammy-nominated artist Shaboozey released his new single, “Good News,” on November 15. His breakout hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 17 weeks, making it the longest-running solo single of the decade. It recently surpassed Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night,” and if it holds the top spot for two more weeks, it will surpass Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” which spent 19 weeks at No. 1, the longest run in Billboard history. Rightfully so, “Good News” is a reflective track that captures Shaboozey’s whirlwind year and explores the lonesomeness of fame. I was never worried about Shaboozey being a one-hit wonder, but this song firmly solidifies his immense talent. His heartfelt crooning over an acoustic guitar is complemented by a healthy dose of fiddles and electric guitar, creating a contemplative yet upbeat vibe. This track truly was the good news I needed this week, so do yourself a favor and give “Good News” a listen.
Penny and Sparrow have released the fifth single from their upcoming album “Lefty”, which is set to drop on January 31. Their new single, “Jeopardy”, is stunning, with instrumentals that are truly out of this world. The soothing piano pairs beautifully with the soft tapping of the drum and a steady acoustic guitar that carries the track. It evokes the same timeless quality as Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me” which is a big compliment coming from me. It’s the kind of song that feels right at home playing on vinyl in a coffee house.
Hip-Hop & R&B:
CONCERT: 2/15 – Jodeci @ Foxwoods Resort
It’s been a short two years since Cordae released his previous project, “From a Birds Eye View,” in January 2022. Now, in 2024, Cordae just released his latest album, “The Crossroads,” which is kind of all over the place, thematically and sonically. To start with the good of this album, the features are top-notch. Frequent collaborator Anderson .Paak has two features on this album, and they both have a similar style to their early hit, “RNP,” in which they trade off bars in a unique and bouncy way. I preferred the bonus song, “Two Tens,” but “Summer Drop” is worth checking out if you’re a fan of J. Cole’s since the beat comes from him. Despite a lot of people online not being impressed with “Mad as F*ck,” I think it ended up being one of my favorite songs on the album. I thought the beat was phenomenal, with big 808s, and the heavily reverbed guitar gives it a calm feel despite the song being so hard. There are a couple of funny bars in there, too, like, “Took your dream girl on a fuckin’ date, I still show up late like Lauryn Hill / Then I hit it good in my penthouse, told her, “Get out,” like Jordan Peele.” There are some emotional moments here as well, where Cordae is still mourning the loss of his grandmother but also finding a lot of joy in raising his new daughter. If you’re a fan of Cordae, I would definitely check it out, but in my opinion, his magnum opus still remains “The Lost Boy.”
Denzel Curry’s latest release, “KING OF THE MISCHIEVOUS SOUTH,” was incredible front to back. It’s easily a top three project that I’ve listened to in the past two or three months. Curry is a Florida native, so this album was all about uplifting the music from his community of southern rappers. He featured stylistic staples like That Mexican OT, Juicy J, Project Pat and LAZER DIM 700. The production on this album was out of this world too, particularly the songs that Key Nyata made his features on, “ULTRA SHXT” and “P.O.P.” All of the songs on this project were fast and hard, resembling the Denzel Curry of 2015-2017. This album is a ton of fun, and if you’re a fan of “Ultimate” or any other of Denzel’s hype music, then I beg you to give this one a shot.
This TDE duo delivered a perfect summer jam, just six months early. Rashad is in his element on the first verse, which makes perfect sense. The beat is smooth, and the ’80s soft rock synth gives the song a calm vibe. Vaughn’s verse is quicker and provides the song with some juice to bump your head to. All in all, I’m a very big fan of Isaiah Rashad, and this feature will do a great job of holding me over until his next drop.
