austin plaine, “fangs”

austin plaine, “fangs”

Head to the most peaceful place you can think of and press play on Austin Plaine’s new release, “Fangs”.  The track is Plaine trying to bring light to somebody who has been through many gray days.  While the first verse focuses on describing the pain and the steps it takes to get to such a dark place, the second verse offers a more optimistic outlook.  The chorus depicts the need to just sometimes scream at the universe and beg for answers.  By the end, you are hopefully left with some hope about how to carry on in spite of the dark clouds that tend to loom.

“Fangs” creates a special musical moment that feels personal.  The lyrics alone are enough to create a personal connection between artist and listener.  With a simple guitar, a bit of piano, and just the right amount of percussion, Plaine gives the green light to be fully immersed.  Just don’t forget to let out a yell to the universe, asking what it all means. Of the writing process, Plaine admits:

I had ‘You’ve been showing off your fangs, God save the Queen’ as the opening line and it immediately created this visual of a troubled girl questioning suicide and the mental state she can’t escape from. I’ve had some dark moments and it is painful to watch someone else go through depression when you yourself know how heavy it can weigh.

foo fighters, “shame shame”

foo fighters, “shame shame”

Foo Fighters have given us a first glance into their upcoming album, Medicine at Midnight, with “Shame Shame”, a foggy tune that brilliantly addresses the feelings of emptiness and the racing mind.  The thought-provoking lyrics provide you with some level of ambiguity while staying in line with some general theme. 

The track features all of the best that modern rock music has to offer.  Equipped with a fiery guitar riff and hard percussion, it is no wonder the band are put on a pedestal of current rockers.  The slow, gentle progression of the verses work as the perfect introduction to the song and the new era that fans are entering.  That being said, the most defining moment comes during the pre-chorus.  With just a simple recitation of the title, Foo Fighters prove that simplicity can go a long way. 

The best thing about the band is that they don’t actually need to live in a past generation of rock n’ roll to be great.  While the melody of the chorus is reminiscent of some timeless rock hits, sonically and lyrically, they are fully taking advantage of what modern music has to offer to perfect their craft.

jenny march, “all in”

jenny march, “all in”

As Jenny March gears up to release her EP, she steers right down the lane of 90s pop for her electrifying single, “All In”.  This aesthetic comes from her growing up as a 90s kid, bringing to the table all of the music and style from the decade and allowing them to define her with this track, complete with the correlating visuals.  Strengthened by the electronic music of the times, “All In” could very well be mistaken for the exact time period she’s aiming for, while also being strikingly analogous to current music trends.  You get the feeling that you can conquer everything with the one you love, which is exactly what she wants her lover to know. 

The use of a stomping beat and direct lyrics help get her message across that she is willing to go as far as she is expected to go.  It is no doubt that March is capable of creating the power anthems we all know and love.  From the ear-catching melodies to the fetching musical layers, there’s no reason this shouldn’t be on everybody’s next dance playlist.

zanya, “feel this bad”

zanya, “feel this bad”

ZANYA’s latest track is an entire ambiance. The lyrics reflect a feeling that so many are experiencing right now, however seductively she frames it with her silky vocals and relaxing instrumentals. “Feel This Bad” is the embodiment of a person zenning out as much as possible heading into the election, a necessary track for the next few weeks and beyond. Check it out below, add it to your voting playlist, and free your mind a bit in the coming weeks.

lydia singer, “lemme know”

lydia singer, “lemme know”

Milton Keynes native Lydia Singer has released her infectious new pop single, “Lemme Know”.  Influenced by stars like Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello, Singer proves to know a thing or two about creating memorable pop songs with catchy hooks and piercing vocals.  While these influences are apparent upon listening, she has no trouble creating her own unique sound for fans to fall in love with.

 Bursting with confidence, Singer lets her lover know that she knows what they want but wants them to be upfront and clear about it themselves.  In the process, Singer remains direct and upfront when articulating what she wants and needs from this lover.  This way of writing lyrics makes clear to the listener that she is unafraid and unapologetic of letting people know just how she is feeling.  The melody remains one of the most stunning and captivating aspects of this track, and when paired with the perfect dancing rhythm, “Lemme Know” is the perfect taste of what pop enthusiasts need.  It is hard not to groove along to the tiny bells and whistles that this track offers.

sir sly, “material boy”

sir sly, “material boy”

by: tiffany czech

In a world where material possessions meet spiritual growth, one may find themselves just as conflicted as the character in Sir Sly’s music video for “Material Boy”.  Here, the material boy is someone who appears to be in a state of distress as he works through his emotions to leave behind any care in the world about material items.  Through watching him chew up wads of cash and hide from all of the expensive things he owns; the viewer comes to understand that he yearns for more in his life.  He yearns to be free from the material chains that are constraining him.  The catchy chorus of the song reminds the listener that our material boy has found a spiritual void within himself and he strives to fill it.

What is great about what we see in this video is that it doesn’t need to follow one meaning for everybody who watches it.  It could mean struggling to come to terms with the current political landscape, as the second verse alludes to, just as much as it could represent the struggle to leave an unfulfilling job that pays well.  The common theme amongst the profuse number of possible interpretations is the yearning to find something that makes one feel whole.  “Material Boy” both fascinates and perplexes, as well as provides the best form of entertainment for the viewer.  Lead singer Landon Jacobs notes: “My highest hope is that this video can mean something a little different for anyone that watches it, but at the very least, I hope it is entertaining.”

amanda shires + jason isbell, “the problem”

amanda shires + jason isbell, “the problem”

by: meredith schneider

Are you ready to fall apart to the most emotional country song this side of the heyday of Rascal Flatts? Endearingly so, the latest release from Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell will move you to tears. Reinforcing verbal support during times of trouble is important, especially during these times. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for artists like Amanda and Jason. Not only is their work absolutely delightful, but they stand for the right side in a very important battle in the American landscape.

Shires is one of many country artists speaking out in support of accessible abortion options. She expands:

This song is about making tough decisions and not having to go it alone. To me, ‘The Problem’ is a song about supporting someone you love through a difficult time. It’s about helping without exerting your own will. I support a woman’s right to choose, and I know these choices are never easy.

Get ready to feel those emotions with this new single.

All proceeds from the track benefit the Yellowhammer Fund.

brit drozda, “spotlight”

brit drozda, “spotlight”

by: leigha stuiso

“Spotlight” is the latest single off Brit Drozda’s upcoming EP Seashells & Stories. It is an anthem to friendship, celebrating a selfless friend finally finding her truth. The lyrics are reflective and full of heart, shining a light on the kind of artist Drozda is. Not only was this song written about a friend, but it has the power to reach the listener as if the song is about them. “I had a very close friend share a truth with me that allowed me to see her in a whole new light. Watching her come into her own, made me so proud and happy for her. I felt like I was watching her step into a spotlight and own this stage of her life,” Drozda said. 

Nowadays more and more music is coming out that is meant to empower and support people. Drozda is a great example of how and why this type of music works. On the EP, she worked with producer Scott Jacoby (Coldplay, Vampire Weekend) who helped transform the songs into a more distinctive and three-dimensional expression. The single “Spotlight” is accompanied with a lyric video with art by Windy O’Connor that brings the words to life. During the challenging times we are facing, take time to support your friends and listen to “Spotlight”. Who knows, you could be giving someone the boost you never knew they needed.