Pop & Indie

CONCERT: 4/12 – Hell Beach @ Space Ballroom

Fresh off two Grammy wins Gaga released “Abracadabra” another single off her upcoming album “MAYHEM”. Gaga explains the song’s meaning as “…the song is about facing the challenge of life and the challenge of the night and finding the magic in it all” (Elle). She describes the “Lady in Red” as the part of yourself that is unsure and questions what you do. The song tells a story that can be shown in the music video. I think it’s a good pop song for dancing in a club. I think the lyrics are the best part of this song, it’s cool to read them without listening to the song, it almost changes the entire feeling. 

The second single and title track from Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s upcoming album “Who Believes In Angels” is incredible. Their voices together are amazing, it’s a beautiful mix of both of their styles. I really love the chorus of this song, specifically the line “What do the angels do with you and I,” I just really like how it’s sung. I think this song is definitely worth a listen. The album cover is also amazing.

I’ve never heard anything by Cil but I think I’ll have to go and listen to her 2023 EP “Tears Dry On Their Own” after hearing her latest release “You’re a Liar (You Love Me)”.  I love a good breakup/heartbreak/divorce song so this was right up my ally. She knows the boy isn’t good for her but she feels like she needs him and just wants him to admit the truth that he loves her. I liked this song a lot and I’m excited to hear more from her in the future.

Ava Max, known for “Kings & Queens” and “Sweet but Psycho” recently released a new single “Lost Your Faith”. I love this song! It’s another heartbreak song so I’m not surprised that I love it but I think its a fun song with a good beat. If you like her past music you’ll probably like this one.

Fellow Genre Manager, Lindsey, recommended Beach Bunny’s new single “Tunnel Vision”. I’m vibing with it. The lyrics are really good and I’m a fan of the beat. It sounds like a typical pop song but it has a bit of a country sound from the guitar. I feel like seeing this song performed live would be incredible, it has a lot of energy. I would recommend giving it a listen if you’re a pop girlie. 

Punk & Alternative

CONCERT: 3/23 – Sarah and the Sundays @ Space Ballroom

If it feels like I just wrote about Vundabar two weeks ago on Weekly, it’s because I did! However, the band just released another new single to promote its upcoming album, “Surgery and Pleasure” which comes out in a month. The new single, “I Need You” is very different from “Spades,” the last Vundabar song I wrote about. Rather than hard-hitting guitars and punchy vocals, “I Need You” is a much slower track, with a much sadder tone. The vocals are weighted, words slurred, and lead singer Brandon Hagen sounds as though he’s just been crying. Honestly, the song sounds like something that might’ve been released in the mid-2000s, played in the heartbreaking moment of a teenage coming-of-age movie.

It’s been a while since I wrote about Sarah and the Sundays on WQAQ Weekly—the band was actually on one of my first Weeklys with the release of the band’s single, “The Cue” in August. Now, I’m covering the full album, “Like A Damn Dog,” which was released on Feb. 7. Sporting 12 tracks and a 40-minute runtime, the band’s new album has satisfied new and old fans alike. I enjoyed listening to the album, but none of the tracks stuck out to me in particular as songs I would listen to regularly. Sarah and the Sundays is on tour right now and will be coming to Hamden in late March.

Ohioan rock band The Black Keys released a new single on Feb. 7, titled “The Night Before.” Formed in 2001, the duo has been releasing music consistently for the past 24 years, with this release being the band’s first release of 2025. The release comes just after a new tour announcement, as well as promoting the band’s upcoming album, “No Rain, No Flowers,” to be released sometime later this year. The song has a really nice rock groove to it, and a grungy, grainy sort of sound that has become very commonplace with releases in Alternative music recently. If you like this track, you’ll love Inhaler’s new album, coming up next.

Inhaler released its long-awaited album “Open Wide” on Feb. 7. After weeks of waiting, and multiple singles covered here on WQAQ Weekly, the full album has figuratively arrived on my doorstep. The full album has 13 tracks and runs for just under 50 minutes. The opening track, “Eddie In The Darkness” is an incredibly catchy opening track, and I’m honestly surprised that it wasn’t released as a single. The next song is “Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah), and it’s a stark contrast from the depressing tone of the first track. Everything about this track is uplifting, the guitar, the melody, the lyrics, it’s a love song through and through upon first listen. Surprisingly, this song was released as a single just two days before the full album was released. The album is incredibly cohesive, all of the songs fit well together without sounding too similar. Two of my favorite songs from “Open Wide” have to be “Even Though” and “The Charms.” The former starts with a more techno sound and brings in a catchy bassline with the verses. The latter feels much calmer and sweet—even though the lyrics are much sadder.

Folk & Country

CONCERT: 3/9 – Max Gomez @ Space Ballroom

Old Dominion released their new single, “Making Good Time,” on Feb. 7. It’s a feel-good track with all the makings of a summer country anthem. The song leans into a heavier bassline and electric guitar-led instrumentals, creating a hook that sticks with you. This release marks a bit of a shift from the band’s older releases which were more laid-back. Lyrically, “Making Good Time” reflects on old flames and the nostalgia of past experiences. The message of the song is that just because things don’t work out, doesn’t mean you can’t look back on them fondly. It’s both reflective and uplifting, something listeners can enjoy. Whether you’re a longtime listener or a casual fan, this track is sure to become a staple on country playlists.  

Sierra Ferrell has been a favorite among fans of independent country music since her 2021 release, “In Dreams.” In 2024, she released her second studio album, “Trail of Flowers,” which elevated her career to new heights, garnering praise from a much wider audience of country music fans. At the Grammy’s Ferrell took home 4 Grammys, winning Best Americana Album, Best Americana Performance, Best American Roots Song, and Best American Roots Performance. Building on this success, she released the deluxe edition of her highly acclaimed album on Jan. 31. The deluxe edition features a new version of her song “The Garden,” which originally appeared on the soundtrack for “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” This reimagined version includes pedal steel, piano, and a string section, giving the song a fuller, more layered sound. It is definitely my preferred version of the song.  Additionally, Ferrell included her rendition of the bluegrass classic “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down,” a track that was not part of the album’s original release. Check out the new songs in Trail of Flowers (Deluxe Edition). 

Mason Ramsey and Harper Grace’s new duet, “Live Lonely”, is a stirring country ballad. Released on Feb. 7, the song features Ramsey and Grace swapping verses. Their harmonies blend seamlessly, with Grace’s (no pun intended0 graceful vocals elevating the song’s emotional weight. The instrumentation features a gentle acoustic guitar and a melancholic steel guitar. What makes “Live Lonely” particularly compelling is the evident chemistry between the two artists, both in songwriting and vocal delivery. The duet really highlights Ramsey’s growth as an artist. “Live Lonely” is a testament to the power of storytelling in country music and brings spotlight to new young voices in the country scene.

Hip-Hop & R&B

CONCERT: 4/5 – Nettspend @ The Webster

For IDK’s newest single, he keeps his unique production at the forefront. It definitely feels like it has a southern/Florida influence, perfectly suited for Denzel. Both of their flows on this beat vary, and every switch hits. This is such a cool style for IDK, and I hope he employs more of it on a 2025 project.

I’ve actually never heard of either of these artists before, but this track has made me a bit of a fan. As I’m falling down the EDM rabbit hole more and more I feel like I appreciate songs that build, and this one starts simply, then gets super layered towards the end. I’d kill to hear this song in any club, and if given a chance I think you’ll come to that conclusion too.

I’m getting more into my R&B bag for GIVĒON, who’s slated to release a new album for the first time since 2022. This most recent single is melancholic and regretful, but melodically beautiful, especially with the big line in the hook, “I didn’t know I’d be wasting my time, spending my twenties on you.” GIVĒON is highly regarded for his songs about heartbreak, and this one is right in line. His vocals are obviously stunning as well, which makes me all the more excited for this album.