We’re tired. We just got really real with the title on this one. We surf through hundreds of submissions a day – and look through another bunch of other, unsubmitted, work via the internet. We know what’s out, what’s new, and what’s captivating us.
So today, we’re sharing our favorite new videos of December. And we’re encouraging you to bookmark this page and come back, as we will add to the list throughout the month.
We are literally preparing the content to play on your projector while simulating a fancy New Year’s party in your basement this year.
It’s ok. Same. But in my 3rd floor walkup with the cats.
New York-based singer/songwriter Nora Lei’s just released her new single “Together,” a dreamy dance track that explores honest feelings of a long term relationship with someone. It’s an ode to love really – but it focuses on the love that exists in a relationship that isn’t tested by a dramatic fate, but more by the time on a clock. Lyrically, her songwriting describes the difficulties a relationship may pose — “I can tell you’re tired/ It’s alright because I am too/ Been so much tension/ Could cut it with a knife” — while the chorus brings the listener to the underlying theme of love prevailing: “We know we’re supposed to be together.” Whether it’s a relatable song or just something you want to dance to, the electronic beat allows you to find release either way.
A self-described “old-soul, hopeless romantic, and heroine of her own life adventure,” Nora Lei is welcoming listeners into her noir-pop world, one song at a time. She began releasing music at the top of this year and has already amassed close to 300K streams and a growing following on her Instagram. Stream “Together” today and be on the lookout for her future EP.
LA-based R&B star Taylor DeBlock is pulling all of our heart strings with his new EP Manque. It is appropriately named, seeing as the running theme throughout the 6-track EP is how it feels to miss someone. The up-tempo spirit of the opening track “NECESITAS” perfectly captures the feeling of losing patience while waiting for somebody that you feel really complements your life. This same sentiment is echoed on tracks like “SAY” and “CALL ME”, both of which showcase the DeBlock’s romantic availability. There is room to slow things down, as highlighted by “RIGHT WAY”, a more vulnerable take on trying to understand the thoughts inside someone’s head.
DeBlock is providing the world with the perfect winter soundtrack for feeling stuck inside not only our homes, but even our own heads. With relatable subject matter that can resonate with a wide range of situations, Manque is here to sooth that often-frustrating feeling of having overbearing thoughts.
DeBlock says of the meaning of the EP:
Originally taken from the French ‘tu me manque,’ meaning ‘I miss you,’ the EP’s title displays a two- fold meaning. A ‘manqué’ is also someone who has failed to live up to an expectation – accepting what has become, the manqué eventually sees where they fell short and must carry on.
As the holidays approach and the pandemic rages on, the feeling of missing things from the past are likely to increase. This is where Meredith Shock’s nostalgic new tune “Maybe This Isn’t Home” comes into play. The track takes us to Shock’s childhood home that she is returning to after starting to build her more grown-up life in Nashville. In a beautiful display of lyricism, Shock adds a personal touch to the song, describing in detail the different things that make her childhood home feel safe and normal. This makes for a more emotional experience on the part of not only the listener, but the singer as well. When all is said and done, it is easy to notice that the song has successful echoes of moving on and growing up while also highlighting the appreciation she has for the home that built her.
Shock says of the track:
I think a lot of people can relate to this song, especially young adults, who have left towns that they spent most of their life in and are beginning to build homes somewhere else. Although it could be considered a sad song, I also want it to be uplifting or hopeful– there’s something to be said about realizing that you are more than just a place you grew up in and have known your whole life.
Sitting in his third-grade math class, Mike Richards, aka A Note Two Self, realized that he would much rather join the kids who were playing music. That is exactly what he did. Fast forward to the present and A Note Two Self is releasing a new track called “Love Drunk”. What starts off as a simple guitar-heavy track quickly turns to a big band, acoustic production, complete with pumping percussion and electric riffs. The story is that of somebody who is willing to give their entire self to the person they have fallen for, and it almost resembles a worship song, one you would hear in the grandest of cathedrals. Perhaps this is because the track is essentially that feeling of worshiping and wanting to shower your person with love. “Love Drunk” takes you to one of the happiest places a song can go.
A Note Two Self explains:
“Love Drunk” was inspired by that feeling of unconditional love and being so enamored that you’re super caught up in the moment. No matter what happens through the good times, the bad times, when you’re in the middle of the whirlwind you’ve got an anchor keeping you grounded.
We’ve all experienced the confusion that comes with being wrapped up in an unclear state of affairs with that special someone. Amongst other emotions, we often find ourselves asking a never-ending list of questions. Where is this going? What do they mean? What’s my next move, and what is theirs?
There’s no doubt that life would be simpler if we put an end to the constant mind-garbage that bubbles up from our brain’s most curious corners. Yet, we still can’t seem to help ourselves from spending hours analyzing the most straightforward text message, or deciding between which emoji would qualify as the most appropriate response.
If this situation hits home for you, I’m happy to present you with a solution that will remind you of how to properly respond: Southern California’s R&B star, Joyce Wrice, and her new single “So So Sick”. Not only will this track bring you back to a positive space focused on self love, but you will simply be too busy enjoying yourself to even think about anyone else.
With commandeering vocals and a self-empowered message, Wrice brings to life sentiments of rejection and pain; along with the necessary attitude to move past such emotions. The singer-songwriter’s sweet-and-cheeky sound is driven home as she conveys the unpleasant cyclicality of someone being unsure of how they feel about you, and having been through this before. As opposed to waiting for someone who’s only half-baked crazy about you, the listener is inspired to prioritize themselves and move on– an important lesson to take in stride as we move into the new year.
“So So Sick” was co-written alongside Daniel Church and produced by Grammy Award-nominee, D’Mile. The track comes from Wrice’s forthcoming album debut, set to arrive early 2021.
If holiday cheer is something that seems a little hard to find lately, then check out Toddie Time, a unique collection of holiday classics from Michelle Malone and The Hot Toddies. On all six holiday songs, The Hot Toddies dive into nostalgic hits while reinterpreting your favorite Christmastide classics that range from toe-tappers that swing to sweet ballads that pull on your heartstrings. Their fun new arrangements all their own that display Malone’s vocal prowess and Doug Kees guitar skills. Malone and Kees are joined by Tommy Dean on upright bass, and occasionally Chris Burroughs on drums.
A particular stand out is “Blue Christmas”, as their version features an electric guitar solo with extra rifs all around. Malone’s vocal style and mood on this track is such a fresh and new take on this bittersweet classic. Their arrangement on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” really showcases a great pairing of upright bass and electric guitar – making you feel like you’re back at your favorite neighborhood dive bar this holiday season, tapping your feet at some live music, and ordering a Hot Toddie. So go on, stream this holiday gift of songs today and be swept up in the cheer you’ve been looking for!
Jenny Lewis has unexpectedly teamed up with Chicago-based rapper Serengeti for the new track and subsequent music video for “Unblu”. As the lyrics create the feeling of yearning for someone who doesn’t seem to be emotionally available yet, the video enhances this longing desire by getting closer to the listener than would be possible had they not shot it with simple iPhone technology. In a way, it feels like a series of video diaries, put together to present to the person you are waiting for so they can see how your life has been while you have been waiting. “Unblu” is a not-so-subtle display of loneliness and fervor, tied together in a package of smooth and rich sonics.
Lewis and Serengeti say of the process of creating the song and video:
To accompany the music, Jenny made videos on her phone during the witching hours, editing while under the covers. Then Jenny texted the tracks to another People alumnus–Andrew Broder in Minneapolis—who co-produced and mixed the songs, taking them from Garageband phone music to music that gently thumps you. Music to dance around your living room in a Day-Glo bathing suit to. Music to go bananas to while watching the news & Forensic Files on mute.
Saba, an acclaimed Chicago rapper and producer, has a newly released a set of singles. One of these singles is “So and So”, which is accompanied by a stunning and spellbinding visual. A short video, it reaches just above the two-minute mark. In that short amount of time, Saba creates a visual that helps bring the track to life in a new way. Simply put, “So and So” addresses adversities and the act of being vulnerable. The opening lines of the song call for celebration of those who are able to overcome the obstacles that are thrown their way. While the video remains in one location throughout the short duration, the fact that the specific location can have its own message for anybody who watches it makes the viewing experience all the more relatable and inclusive.
“So and So”, while shorter than some other releases, gives the viewer the time to address what might sometimes be an uncomfortable admission. It is an honest approach to the reality of different struggles that make it hard to achieve great things. Saba is taking the chance to let viewers know that they too can overcome their own struggles.
