This year has flown by, and September was no different.
With new albums from some of our favorite artists, including today’s new releases by Sizzy Rocket and Violet Night (to name a few), to new singles dropping nearly every day, this month was saturated with tons of fantastic content to dive into.
And now that it is officially fall that means it is the perfect time to cozy up with a big blanket, light some autumn scented candles, and listen to some brand new music from some of our favorite artists.
So without further adieu, we present the final September New Music Friday rundown.
Be sure to check out all of our favorite new tracks below, and as always check out our full September playlist now to catch up on all releases you may have missed- linked at the bottom.
“Shaken” & “Promised Land” – David Shaw
David Shaw, who is best known as the vocalist for indie rock band The Revivalists, is stepping out on his own.
This morning the singer/songwriter debuted two brand new singles as the first venture into his solo career, titled “Promised Land,” and “Shaken.”
With smooth and very recognizable vocals, Shaw makes listeners feel at ease with his music- which is a bit slower and more folk tinged than his full time band, though there are clear similarities that will strike a cord with Revivalist fans or casual listeners.
With “Shaken” being a confidence booster that reminds listeners of all the positive things they have to offer- despite what their self doubt might say, and “Promised Land” calling out the injustices and racial discrimination that takes place in the world, Shaw flexes his ability to be positive but also critical- and provides listeners with a perfect introduction into what future solo music might sound like.
Car rides are some of the best places to do some deep thinking- especially about your life, relationships, and what you hope get out of your future.
It is one of these re-evaluating rides that inspired Skyler Cocco’s new single, “The Drive,” which was originally written as part of a Splice competition run by MUNA earlier this year. After winning the competition, Cocco chose to turn the demo into a full track, which navigates regret, taking ownership, and moving forward from your past mistakes.
And with soft spoken vocals paired with a fun instrumental backing track, this pop song is perfect to put on during any long drives you may have coming up, or just to throw on on a lazy Friday night to help get you in the mood to groove.
“There Must’ve Been A Reason” by All Night Dining
All Night Dining made their debut earlier this year with their teaser single “Butterfly,” but are now back with a new song that is sure to get stuck in your heads and added to your daily playlists.
The indie rock song “There Must’ve Been A Reason” debuted this morning and gives listeners a look into the struggles vocalist Caleb Cloran experienced after a seemingly loving relationship suddenly came to an end.
“This isn’t a ‘I hate you why did you leave me’ type song,” Cloran shared. “It’s more of a ‘I still love you, what went wrong?’. I’m trying to tell them how I feel, but I’m stopped constantly by the thought of losing sight of who I am.”
A track most listeners can relate to, especially if they recently experienced heartbreak or an end to a close friendship, “There Must’ve Been A Reason” contrasts it’s confused and longing lyrics with a relaxed and calm instrumental vibe, giving listeners feelings of hope despite the obvious hurt conveyed by the track’s message.
A song dedicated to the beauty and endless wonder that lives within New York City “Le Bain” is all about being young, carefree, and a little irresponsible.
The first single to signal a change in Early Gray’s sound as they move towards an electro-pop infused vibe, “Le Bain” shares a name with New York’s famous roof top club and according to the band is “a danceable alt pop [song] about falling in love and losing your debit card.”
The perfect song to get yourself amped up for a night on the town, or even a night in with friends (there is a pandemic happening, after all) “Le Bain” reminds listeners to embrace their youth and continue having fun. You only live once, and you may as well live it up to the best of your ability.
“Let Your Trouble Go” by Amelie Patterson
A song about letting go of your worries and trying to ground yourself, “Let Your Trouble Go” is exactly the type of song we all need to hear right now.
Written by singer and poet Amelie Patterson, “Let Your Troubles Go” is about wishing and trying to take away the hurt and burdens of your loved ones, if only for a day, so that they are free to live a happy and care free life if even for only a short time.
A hopeful and beautiful pop inspired song, Patterson uses the track to bring a bit of sunshine back into the lives of those close to her all while reminding listeners that there is hope for their futures. Even if you are experiencing hurt or pain now, you are not alone in your fights, and those who are close to you will be there to catch you whenever you feel yourself falling.
Inspired by the desire to return to the past and hold onto nostalgia for dear life while also battling the daunting need to face the present, “Bonfires” is the latest single and title track from Jimkata’s upcoming album.
“The past few years under this presidency have felt like dropping off into a deep, dark, and ugly abyss from which there may be no return,” vocalist Evan Friedell shared. “It is easy to long for simpler times where you felt more sure of things… so we find ourselves having to find the courage to face the flames, move through the ugliness, and hope it’s just a painful transition towards a better world.”
With indie pop instrumentals and simple but catchy lyrics, “Bonfires” encourages listeners to tackle their fears head on and to remember that without the future there would be no past to reminisce on. We must continue the fight against injustice in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and hope that our future is better than the past we are moving away from.
A pop song written about falling in love over the internet- something very common in today’s modern dating world- “Heart Emoji” is about jumping into a relationship solely based on someone’s online persona- real or not.
“Often our songs are written in a perspective different from our own,” the band shared. “This one explores “online love” and the idea that someone could pursue another romantically without even really knowing them.”
With a very funky bass line and other uptempo instrumentals that will have you dancing around your room by the time the first chorus hits, “Heart Emoji” is Ludic’s latest attempt at channeling themselves in someone else’s shoes- specifically someone trying to get their date on with a potential partner. It may not be something we can all relate to, but it’s sure to get you moving regardless of your lyrical connection.
The sophomore single by Nashville based indie rock band Thunder Eagle, “Sweet Anna” is a smooth love song that puts listeners into a relaxed and openhearted mood- despite its romantic uncertainty.
Written about “love and low self esteem,” according to singer/guitarist Frank Patrick James, “Sweet Anna” is heavily driven by it’s repetitive but captivating guitar and steady percussion- serving as a perfect song for a cozy evening in with a loved one or to sneak onto a future partner’s Spotify playlists.
Exuding warmth and feelings of being caught up in the beginnings of a romance that may be hesitant to bloom into a full relationship due to fear or insecurity, the track leaves listeners feeling hopeful for the future of their partnership and encourages opening yourself up to romance.
“90 Degrees” by M!NT feat. Nas Leber
An ode to growing up and honoring the aspects of your life- both good and bad- that made you who you are today, “90 Degrees” is the latest single by Bronx native Nas Leber and producer M!NT.
An 80s inspired hip-hop track all about appreciation, “90 Degrees” is named after the end of summer feelings that cause you to reminisce and reflect on how the past few months have shaped the course of your life- if they have at all. Heavily emphasizing the importance of family, friends, and growth, the track repeats the line “focus on the things I have, ignore what I do not,” reminding listeners to stop dwelling on the things they lack but instead hype up what they do have.
With M!NT adding synth/piano to give the track a fun nostalgic vibe over Leber’s encouraging lyrics, the track makes the perfect hype up anthem for any final moments of summer celebration before officially returning to the colder and rapidly approaching winter months.
“Polarized” by Scenic Route to Alaska
In a world that is constantly pulling apart at the seems, Scenic Route to Alaska is here to ask the big question: “will it always be this way?”
An indie alternative track that puts political and social fights on full display while rightfully questioning what the future will look like if nothing changes for the better, “Polarized” is an honest and insightful track that cuts the world open and criticaly examines it.
Begging for the current generations to realize their desensitization to the horrors that are currently taking place across the globe and encouraging them to take action against the daily injustices splattered across the news, the band uses the song to plant seeds of change in listener’s minds- honing in on the idea that we must rise up and make improvements “for the generations up ahead.”
A song that will make you stop and think, “Polarized” is the perfect end to this week’s new music Friday as it fits in perfectly with the past week’s news cycle, which has been anything but friendly.
You can stream all of the above tracks now, wherever you stream music, and be sure to check out all of them in addition to our other September favorites in our Spotify playlist below.
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