While clubs and after hour parties are still unfortunately on hold this year, there are no restrictions on anyone still craving music that channels a good time. New York reigning electro/rap artist Heather Hills is definitely serving up a good time with her new song “Get Dun”. Just over the four minute mark, it’s an infectious dance track blended with Hill’s witty, confident rap verses and a humble beat sprinkled with an 80’s twist. Her verse on getting ready shows off her high intensity and independent charm, “Treat it like a first date / Throw on the paint, brush out the mink / The lashes to blink, lip nude kinda pink”.
Heather Hills is on the artist lineup of Trans Trenderz, a black trans owned organization aiming to help trans artists achieve mainstream success while feeling empowered and respected for who they are. On being signed to this label, Hills was elated at the chance to truly be herself and make the music she wanted to. “Life taught me that everything that I am will hinder my progress. If I wanted to move forward successfully, I would have to mold myself into an ever-changing idea,” she says of her time putting out music before this new endeavor. “This opportunity, to me, presents itself as an award for always refusing to conform. It represents the value in following your OWN path and showing the world that what makes you different, makes you powerful”.
Stream “Get Dun” today, and check out the new music video for a euphoric look into her mood and style.
Ethereal, delicate, light — these are just some of the words that can be used to describe singer-songwriter Charlee Remitz’s new single, “Movie Theatre”. Within the first 20 seconds, the listener is warmly greeted by Remitz’s gently layered vocals and peaceful instrumentation.
The 21-year-old from Bozeman, Montana makes it all too easy for us to melt into the pleasantness of this track. Swooned by her Maggie Rogers-like-sound, Remitz’s voice embraces us, and makes us feel at home. This sentiment is contrasted, however, by the message behind her lyrics. While providing us with extreme warmth in her sound, Remitz simultaneously discusses much darker topics – mainly, the doomsday that our current world seems to resemble, and wanting to share such tumultuous times with another human being. “Movie Theatre” comes from Remitz’s forthcoming album, Heaven’s a Scary Place, arriving on December 18. Her most recent album, Garden, was entirely self-written and produced and came to surface earlier this year.
From young indie artist Patricia Lalor comes the hypnotic track “This Man Thought He Saved Me”, a reflection of possible insecurity. It may be hard to describe exactly what genre this falls under, but that is only because Lalor perfectly incorporates many elements of different genres, crafting a transcendent track. Starting off with a more electronic vibe, the song quickly and almost seamlessly shifts to a vibrant and prominent electric guitar, one that takes hold throughout the entire track. Viewers of the song’s music video can even spot Lalor strumming away on the guitar, a testament to the fact that the guitar really owns the whole song. While some of the rock genre is evident, it may be appropriate to take it a step further and call it a punk spectacle.
“This Man Thought He Saved Me” is a thrilling, not-so-straightforward take on feeling slightly inferior. Make no mistake, though, the track still radiates confidence in a more subtle way than normally depicted. One thing is for sure: Patricia Lalor leaves plenty of room for nuance.
The gift of music is always the best and I was recently gifted a vinyl remastered copy of Sign ‘O’ The Times by Prince. And it is the best.
Originally released on March 30, 1987, the re-release on September 25, 2020, was a much-anticipated balm for this year of canceled live tours and shows. The songs on Sign ‘O’ The Times sound as fresh as they felt to audiences 30 years ago. Prince created a tour de force with wide-ranging genres, rock-solid vocals, and lyrics that stand the test of time.
Although “Sign ‘O’ The Times” and “U Got The Look” were the two singles off the album that got the most attention, there are so many more choices that will become favorites on your playlists. “Play In The Sunshine” and “Housequake” are back-to-back songs designed to get you moving. “If I Were Your Girlfriend” also never disappoints.
I have discovered my own new favorites – “Starfish and Coffee” is one of those. Written by Prince with Susannah Melvoin, it sparkles with fun lyrics and bright beats. It’s catchy and surprising. Additionally, Prince performed it with The Muppets in 2016, which makes it that much better!
I have played Side B of Album number Two three times now while I write and I see a fourth play in my future. “The Cross”, “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night” and “Adore” are the three songs on this side. They are completely different from each other, but each one is brilliant.
Sign ‘O’ The Times is becoming one of my favorite albums in my collection. Although I was aware of, and heard, all of these songs over the years, I had never purchased the album to listen to in its entirety . Now that I have it, I will make up for lost time.
The new track from pop-rock band KITTEN has dropped, and it asks the question everybody seems to have on their mind these days. “What Year Are We In” is exactly the type of song that you may expect people to listen to years from now in order to get an idea of what life may have been like in the year 2020. Not only does it make the expected pandemic references, it also offers commentary on other various things that have come to shape the year like social justice movements, worry of climate change, and the fact that movies don’t really seem new anymore.
It isn’t only the lyrics that make you question the era. Sonically, the track is reminiscent of the 90s punk scene, a reminder that maybe none of these time periods are really all that far. KITTEN successfully solidifies any suspicions that 2020 is the year that seems to revisit other decades in a plethora of ways.
Brainchild Chloe Chaidez says:
It’s a bizarre time to be alive. We have history at our fingertips. Teenagers wear Joy Division t-shirts, and moms listen to Drake. ‘What Year Are We In?’ is a funny question to pose, but it also feels like the simplest way of conveying a feeling.
From the band Wax Owls comes a coming of age tale that takes us through fortresses in the forest and late-night rides through the back streets of a small town. It is a narrative about what it is like to have somebody there through the various phases of getting older. The track sees the band taking a trip down memory lane, a trip that is supported by bright guitar strums and commanding drums. This trip works to leave the listener with a feeling of calmness and warmth to counter any coldness that the year has left with them.
The song also proves to be the perfect companion for a drive into the sunset on an old country road, or a walk by the lake during morning’s sunrise. The best part? It accompanies anybody who is currently experiencing a path filled with darkness and fear and lights the way.
