Pop & Indie
CONCERT: 6/7 – The Driver Era @ Mohegan Sun Arena
“GIRLS!” has become my new pride go-to. It’s super catchy, I was dancing around in my seat while listening. The beat and Cat Burns’ voice together is perfect. The fact that a 24 year old wrote this is also insane, I’m always so impressed by young artists. Cat Burns has a few albums and EPs out and I will definitely be taking a journey through her discography. I actually really love this song, it will be on repeat for the next month straight.
“What Have They Done To Us” is a song from Season 2 of Arcane. It sounds like a soundtrack, the kind of song in the background while characters are talking or maybe fading out at the end of a tv show. I just keep imagining a dark contemporary/lyrical dance, the lyrics are so interesting. I can’t really describe what this song sounds like besides saying it’s on a soundtrack. The sound is so specific, it makes really good background music and I feel like I need to listen to it over and over. Sasha Alex Sloan is a very talented pop artist featured on this track, she currently has two albums, her first having been released in 2020. She’s currently opening for Kelsea Ballerini on tour.
Alisa Xayalith is a 39 year old that sounds like a teenager. She is known for being in The Naked and Famous, a band based in New Zealand. “What The Hell Do We Do Now” is a single from her upcoming debut solo album “Slow Crush”. I really like the lyrics in this song, it’s about questioning a relationship and the unknown.
The Driver Era is a duo I haven’t listened to much despite having been a big R5 fan in elementary school. “Same Old Story” is a single off their upcoming album, “Obsession”. I know The Driver Era is pretty popular and I’ll definitely be listening to more of them in the future.
SASAMI released a new single from her upcoming album, “Blood On The Silver Screen,” releasing in early March. “In Love With a Memory” is the single released last week. I really like instrumental breaks in this song. Parts of the song have a video game sounding layer of beeps and little jingles that I think is really interesting. I also like the overlapping voices at the end, it’s oddly calming. I think this song is perfect to get fans excited for the album release. I will definitely be listening to the album once it’s released.
Punk & Alternative
CONCERT: 4/10 – Franz Ferdinand @ Brooklyn Paramount
Brooklyn-based band Sleigh Bells released a new single on January 28, “Wanna Start A Band?” The Alt-pop duo consists of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss, the two having started the band together in 2008. With over 15 years of music under its belt, the song marks the duo’s first new release in over three years. “Wanna Start A Band?” brings together punk baselines with striking sound effects and pop vocals. The three-minute track tells the story of how the two met and started creating together, according to Krauss. Sleigh Bells also notes that while this song tells a story about the past, it’s also the start of a new story that the duo is excited to tell.
Alt-rock band Momma released a new single on January 29. “I Want You (Fever)” is a smooth blend of pop songwriting, grunge, and rock elements. The song builds and repeats its messaging through the four-minute-long track. The chorus is catchy and repetitive, invoking the feeling that the singer is repeating a manifestation. The song is filled with catchy hooks and dreamy vocals that draw you in and don’t let you leave. With this release, Momma announced that it will be releasing a new album, “Welcome to My Blue Sky” on April 4 of this year.
Self-proclaimed “glimmer-rock” solo act Vienna Vienna released a new single on January 31. “God Save the Queens” is a queer power anthem that came at just the right time. With queer rights and liberties seemingly on the line, Vienna Vienna says “fuck subtlety” with this punchy, pop-punk-y, glitter-littered project. With references to Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Marsha P. Johnson, and Princess Diana, Vienna Vienna spotlights important figures in queer history while also giving a big “fuck you” to the people that want queer people to disappear. Vienna Vienna is currently on tour now supporting K. Flay.
Folk & Country
CONCERT: 3/2 – Amythyst Kiah @ Space Ballroom
Released on January 31, “Devil’s Music” is the latest offering from Charparelle, a dynamic duo made up of Zella Day and Jesse Wood. I’ve been a fan of Jesse Wood’s music for a while, his song “Nothing’s Warm as Addiction” is one I can’t recommend enough. So, I was thrilled to hear that he’s released new music, giving me the perfect opportunity to rave about this truly brilliant artist. The new single includes two previously released tracks from last summer, Bleeding Hearts and Sex & Rage. With soft instrumentals and what I can only describe as retro vocals; “Devil’s Music” celebrates the golden age of country music. Zella Day’s exceptional voice blends beautifully with Wood’s deep timbre, evoking a timeless chemistry akin to Johnny Cash and June Carter. Lyrically, the song playfully nods to the Bible Belt expression that secular music is “the devil’s music.” It’s a lively, tongue-in-cheek anthem about the love of music, and I can’t recommend it enough. Check Chaparelle out this summer on their Two Steppin’ Through the USA tour.
Jesse Welles, who I lovingly refer to as the Bob Dylan of a new generation, has done it again. His latest single, “Horses,” released on January 31, delivers the sharp social commentary fans have come to expect from his music. “Horses” is the first single from his recently announced album, Middle, and it marks a noticeable shift from his previous work. Opening with electric guitar and a steady, upbeat drum rhythm, the song immediately feels different, because it is. At its core, “Horses” is about love, emphasizing how choosing to love one another is far easier than being preemptively angry. Welles has a rare ability to address pressing issues with unwavering conviction. The best art is personal, and that’s exactly what makes him stand out. His music is raw, intentional, and deeply felt. Keep an eye out for Middle and be sure to give “Horses” a listen.
“Blue Jean Baby” has long been a fan favorite among those who have seen Zach Bryan perform live. Thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles, the song is now available for streaming. Bryan had promised to release “Blue Jean Baby” if the Eagles won against the Commanders, and he stayed true to his word. On January 27, the song finally dropped and thank God it did. This might just be my favorite Zach Bryan track, and it makes me want to dive even deeper into his music. The song feels rustic and raw, with a drumbeat that’s easily one of the best I’ve heard in a while. It’s effortlessly enjoyable, catchy without feeling overproduced, and nostalgic without being melancholic. Bryan has built a reputation for crafting deeply personal, storytelling-driven songs that resonate with fans of folk, country, and Americana. And this song is no exception.
Hip-Hop & R&B
CONCERT: 3/26 – Rich Amiri @ The Webster
This will likely be The Weeknd’s last album under his current persona, and I think he did a great job with it. You can tell pretty clearly how his sound has evolved over the course of his past three albums, including “After Hours” and “Dawn FM” respectively. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” has a grittier sound, and I think The Weeknd takes a lot of inspiration from his current group of collaborators. Primarily, he and Playboi Carti have been performing a bit together and have released a few songs as well. The both of them are embarking on a stadium tour with Mike Dean, renowned hip-hop producer, and engineer, which is where The Weeknd is getting these really aggressive synths. The rest of the feature lineup is eclectic, to say the least, including EDM legend Justice, Brazilian pop star Anitta, Florence + The Machine, Travis Scott, and Lana Del Rey. My favorite songs on the album were normally the more upbeat ones since a lot of his slower tracks tend to blend together in my opinion. If we’re not counting singles, my favorites include “Wake Me Up (feat. Justice),” Reflections Laughing (feat. Travis Scott and Florence + The Machine),” and “Take Me Back To LA.” I definitely recommend the album, especially if you were a fan of either of his previous two projects.
PlaqueBoyMax has been on an impressive run of late, blowing up on Twitch for his streams where he makes songs with known rappers. UnoTheActivist has been a staple of the underground for a long time, and if you’re familiar with the genre you’ve probably heard his name before. The beat is very calm, with bubbly chimes providing the main melody. Uno’s verse is solid, but all in all it’s a pretty easy listen if you want to find new music this week.
If The Alchemist drops, you should expect it to be on this list. He gets one of his most common collaborators in Larry June on this song, who glides over the beat like he’s been doing it his whole life. 2 Chainz also adopts a change in his flow on this song, which leads to a really satisfying meld of the three artists. If you’re a fan of literally any of The Alchemist I recommend, or if you tend to like older hip-hop I think you’ll like it too.
I’m late to the Doechii train, but I’ve known for a while that I need to get on. Her latest album, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” had a big moment in the music zeitgeist this year, leading to her first Grammy nominations and her first win for Best Rap Album. This song, “Nosebleeds,” dropped the morning after she won, marking her great accomplishment. It’s all about beating the haters to an electric drum-heavy beat. If you’re not already here for the Doechii rise, there’s not much else I can tell you.
