It is officially April and we have safely survived April Fools Day- which means we are now ready to hop hop hop our way into another New Music Friday: April edition.
Kicking off the month of Easter, springtime sunshine and a whole lot of “Covid has been happening for over a year now” angst, we have eleven brand new tracks that will help you forget your troubles and get into the groove of some casual tunes.
As always you can check out our full list of New Music Friday picks below, and be sure to stream all of the new tracks now via our Spotify playlist linked at the bottom.
Let’s hop to it!
1990nowhere are an indie pop duo made up of two artists with a long history of writing fantastic music. Featuring Bryan Sammis and Chris Blair, the group are gearing up for their upcoming EP A Fever Called Living (May 28) with the release of the EP’s second single “Kubrick.”
Released this morning, “Kubrick” is a dreamy recount of having a chance encounter with someone who subsequently changes your life- or at least how you view the world.
Starting off with a scene from ‘a past life’ in a video store, the track compares the narrator with their love interest and shares how they compliment each other- eventually planning a getaway together that involves stealing The Shining and escaping into the night.
Described by the band as a song about “getting high in a Blockbuster and meeting the love of your life,” this song has a fun, feel good vibe that easily captivates your attention and will be stuck on repeat in your head after only half a listen.
“When Did We” by Charming Liars
A song about getting older, growing up and moving on from things- or people- who once consumed your life, “When Did We” is the second single of the year from alt rock band Charming Liars.
Following January’s “Pieces,” “When Did We” navigates the natural dissolvement of a relationship and the changes that occur as you age, including a sense of being jaded by the world around you.
Using the group’s signature alternative rock sound and deep cutting lyrics, this track is both hard hitting and relatable for anyone who has experienced a similar sense of disillusionment. Acknowledging the difficulties of choosing to move on from someone or something that no longer brings you a sense of peace or joy, and how even though getting older is inevitable, it doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Having first caught our attention with their Harry Styles “Watermelon Sugar” cover last month, Felicity are once more getting us hyped up with their brand new single “Hit and Run.”
Their first original release of the year, “Hit and Run” is a gritty punk rock track about having your heart broken by someone who seems to not have been affected by your relationship at all.
Sharing an experience of being left behind by someone you once planned to spend forever with- or at least someone you cared deeply about- the track goes through the grieving process and all of the questions and hurt that come with this lack of closure.
And through the band’s emotionally raw lyrics, this song is an honest exploration of feeling broken down and trying to rebuild yourself- hitting especially hard for anyone who has been through similar breakups or senseless abandonment.
One of the biggest struggles in relationships- both in romantic and platonic senses- is making sure that you are both on the same page when it comes to your feelings and thoughts. Especially when one of you struggles to talk about their emotions.
In CAPPA’s new single “Fatal,” it is this exact aspect of relationships that the singer explores, singing about how a partner refuses to discuss their feelings and anything below the surface level of conversations. Asking “would it be fatal for you?” CAPPA asks her partner to attempt to meet her on the same level so that they can share a deeper understanding and respect for each other- without having to fight it out.
And though the track also acknowledges that this relationship can be great- it stresses that unless you are willing to have these conversations and to try to understand each other, the love you share can’t go anywhere.
“It was like a mini therapy session to channel these feelings into a song,” the singer shares. “I think ‘Fatal’ can be related to experiences we’ve all been through, whether in relationships or friendships.”
“Contingency Plan” by Whitehall
Indie rock band Whitehall have just debuted their sophomore album Swordfish Catcher today and we are more than excited to dive in- especially with an introduction like “Contingency Plan.”
The last single to be released from the album, which dropped this morning, “Contingency Plan” sums up the idea that sometimes life is unpredictable and even the best laid plans can go to the wayside- that is, if you even have plans at all.
Navigating the process of getting older and trying to survive while also flying by the seat of your pants as life changes unexpectedly at every turn, the new track is a groovy journey through the thought process that accompanies getting older and being pressured to make a concrete set of goals or picture your ideal life.
And for an album that is all about growing up, making mistakes and trying to find your place in the world- this track is a perfect conglomeration of the anxiety, trust, and uncertainty that comes with the rest of both the tracks as well as life in general.
A soft but powerful vocal force lives within pop singer Cami Petyn, and today’s “Tired” is a perfect example.
A track about insecurity and the creeping sense of doubt that can pop up into your mind after a night of overthinking, “Tired” dives into the feelings of exhaustion that can come with thinking badly both about yourself and the world around you.
Inspired by “modern pop and old-school jazz,” the song captivates listeners by pulling them into an almost dream-state. With unique instrumentals helping to elevate Petyn’s vocals, the track envelopes listeners in the world of the music- giving them a first hand look into the singer’s headspace and the thought process behind self doubt.
And though the song is personal to Petyn herself, and shares her own experience with these thoughts and feelings, the track allows listeners to relate their own personal struggles to the lyrics- making it easy to connect with and get lost in.
Henry Kaye, also known as HEN, is a emerging pop artist who isn’t afraid to dive into explorations of sexuality, sensuality and temptation- all of which drive today’s release “Devil’s Sound.”
A track that opens on a minute long gospel inspired serenade before transforming into an 80s disco meets 2021 pop beat, “Devil’s Sound” is about moving away from what you are expected to do and into what you want to do- living your life to the fullest and utmost unapologetic state.
Inspired by his own experiences as a queer person both in life and within the music scene, Hen uses this track as an example of owning his truth and sharing it without regret.
“Devil’s Sound’ is a gospel-disco mashup about losing faith and turning to vice,” Hen shares. “This song is a Frankenstein monster of references, all of which are ultimately about the outcast. With my current body of music I want to tap into this simmering, unpredictable queer rage that America has feared and fallen in love with a million times over.”
The debut singer by alt-pop artist Juliana Eye, “U SUCK” is an ode to taking no shit and calling out the people who have mistreated you throughout your life.
A fusion of catchy pop and punk rock angst, paying homage to the music Eye was raised on, “U SUCK” acknowledges the nefarious intentions of those around you, and the harsh reality that not everyone wants to see you succeed. But instead of wallowing in self pity or dreading a confrontation, this track calls out that behavior and draws a clear line in the sand- demanding respect, accountability and giving listeners a new bop to dance to.
“As an introvert’s exercise in self-preservation, [“U SUCK” is] about taking off the rose-coloured glasses and coming to terms with the fact that not everyone around you has good intentions,” Eye shares. “You don’t always need to blame yourself and it’s okay to be upset about inconsistent and toxic behaviour. Sometimes they suck, you don’t.”
“Whistleblower” by Blood Lemon
The music industry has had its fair share of whistleblowing over the past few years as the #MeToo movement has helped countless people share their experiences with assault and harassment. And though there are an equally countless amount of supporters of those who come forward to share their stories, it doesn’t make the process any easier, and this week’s new single by Blood Lemon examines the thoughts that come before making a statement.
Aptly titled “Whistleblower,” the track is an alternative rock anthem that tackles the uncertainty and fears that come with sharing your story with harassment/assault.
And though the uncertainty and anxiety/dread for what comes after speaking out is powerful, but the track reminds listeners that using your voice and sharing your story can be just as freeing as it is scary.
“[This song is] the inner dialogue that occurs when a person is debating on becoming a ‘whistleblower’ of sexual assault, harassment, discrimination, etc.,” singer/bassist Melanie Radford shares. “Ultimately [choosing to speak up and] declaring in the lyrics: “I’m gonna be one of ‘those bitches.’”
“Looking For A Friend” by Band of Silver
Sibling trio Band of Silver are getting honest about loneliness this week with the release of their new single “Looking For A Friend.”
Released yesterday, the track is a dreamy synth-pop song inspired by vocalist Avery Silvernagel’s struggle to find her place in the world and the realization that she is not alone in these feelings or even the struggle to find people to connect with.
Instead, the song proves to be an anthem for anyone who has battled these fears or felt as though they were alone in any anxiety or insecurity they have felt.
“The lyrics to ‘Looking for a Friend’ are some of the most autobiographical I’ve written,” she shares.“I thought of the topic while going to clubs around Nashville trying to meet new people. It was pretty nerve wracking at first. I thought I would be the outsider with everyone having their social circles already established and all around more put together than I was. Instead I realized most of the people I’ve met felt the same way I did.”
“Trials” by Jack DeNicola feat. Lil Xay
At only 20 years old, Jack DeNicola is only just getting started- but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had his fair share of life and songwriting experience to write new tracks that are both captivating and relatable- both of which describe this week’s “Trials.”
The latest release off of DeNicola’s upcoming album, “Trials” explores finding yourself while also acknowledging your flaws and insecurities. Using the track to remind listeners that they don’t need to fit into any particular box or force themselves to act in anyway other than what feels authentic to their true self- “Trials” is a reminder that we all have problems, and that you shouldn’t beat yourself up over whatever yours may be. Life is not smooth sailing, and it’s okay to stumble on your way to solid ground and journey to happiness.
“‘Trials’ is a song I wrote for myself and many other people that always feel the pressure to be this fabricated version of themselves that others will appreciate when they should just worry about being the best version of themselves in their own eyes,” shares DeNicola. “No one is perfect, so stop trying to be.”
You can stream all of the above music now, wherever you stream music, and be sure to check out our New Music Friday: April playlist, along with our March playlist, available now via the links below.
Leave a Reply