To quote a song title by one of our favorite artists, it is officially December (again) and that means that we are both rapidly approaching the end of the year and ready to hear all of the upcoming final releases by some of our favorite artists and new ones we are eager to check out.
And as the first Friday of the month, we have done our due diligence to find the best 10 new releases of the month of December (so far) and share our findings with you.
You can check out our full list of favorite new songs below, and if you like what you hear, be sure to stream all of them and stay up to date on future releases by following along on our December Spotify playlist- linked at the bottom.
Let’s dive in!
“acting like that” by YUNGBLUD feat. Machine Gun Kelly
The third collaboration in the past year between musical titans YUNGBLUD and Machine Gun Kelly, “acting like that” is the final single off of YUNGBLUD’s new album Weird! which dropped this morning.
A fusion of MGK’s new pop punk sound and YUNGBLUD’s fun experimental elements, this track is easily one of our favorite releases of the past week. With catchy lyrics and the combination of the duo’s contrasting vocals and complimentary energy, it is impossible not to dance as soon as the pre chorus kicks in. Giving us high hopes for more future collaborations between our favorite alt stars, this track showcases the best of both MGK and YUNGBLUD, giving new listeners a fantastic view into the worlds of WEIRD! and Tickets to My Downfall.
Stuck Out first landed on our radar when they teamed up with Yours Truly’s Mikaila Delgado back in October for their single “Mindless.” And now, less than two months later they are back on our watch with the release of their new song “Inverse.”
Released Tuesday, “Inverse” is a contemplative look into feelings of loneliness and spiraling out of control. With a gritty pop punk sound and lyrics about struggling to find the source of your internal turmoil, the band use the track to showcase their vulnerability all while staying true to their classic punk infused sonic profile.
A perfect song to check out if you’re struggling to make sense of the world around you or dealing with a vice, “Inverse” is also the latest look into Stuck Out’s upcoming EP Lie Through Your Teeth, out December 18th, and has us looking forward to hearing more new singles from one of our favorite rising artists.
“Monsters” by All Time Low feat. blackbear and Demi Lovato
A special early Christmas gift to fans came this morning in the form of an All Time Low, blackbear and Demi Lovato collaboration.
Adding Lovato’s iconic vocals to a remix of the band’s single “Monsters,” which originally featured blackbear and debuted on their album Wake Up, Sunshine earlier this year, All Time Low are reminding fans that they aren’t just the same old pop rock band you’ve grown to know and love.
With added pop flare from Lovato, the hip hop/rap stylings of blackbear, and the band’s fearlessness when it comes to experimenting with new sounds- All Time Low are somehow still getting bigger by the minute, and we are so happy to be on this ride with them.
“Wearing Thin” by Hollow Front
An emotional new track, “Wearing Thin” is a gut wrenching look at a relationship that has disintegrated before your eyes despite your best attempts to salvage the love you shared.
The latest release by Michigan based metalcore band Hollow Front, following their album Loose Threads earlier this year, “Wearing Thin” uses a classic mix of clean vocals and screams to describes a person’s mental state after realizing they’ve lost the one they’ve loved the most.
From regretting past exchanges of words to longing for a second chance, this song resonates heavily with anyone who’s ever gone through a difficult breakup or any listener who has some past regrets regarding how they’ve treated someone close to them.
“In The Reflection of Blood” by Charming Liars
Another emotional release of the week, “In The Reflection of Blood,” is the latest single by London meets LA artist Charming Liars.
Inspired by the tragic events of the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Fest shooting in 2017, which resulted in 61 deaths and over 800 injuries, “In The Reflection of Blood” is an ode to the lives of those lost during the shooting and acknowledging their impact on the world.
Serving as somewhat of a prayer for the end of gun violence and a longing to understand why that attack- along with all other mass shootings- happened in the first place, the track couples Charming Liar’s usual alternative rock stylings with lyrics of hope for the future. Giving listeners a feeling of understanding and combating the helplessness we all feel, the band use the track to help raise awareness in a way that will resonate with fans of all ages and background.
And in addition to the track itself, the band have also announced that all proceeds from the track will be donated to a gun violence victims fund in order to help assist victims in recovery and mental health resources.
“Before You Go” by I.M the artist
I.M the artist is once more using their talents to create an emotional, introspective track that will have all listeners connecting with their inner emotions and fears.
Released this morning as a 3 part extended single, the London based singer songwriter has debuted “Before,” “You,” and “Go,” three similarly themed tracks that each take you on the journey of coming to terms with loss- something especially prevalent this past year as the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe.
“Similarly to my past music, I’m always striving to write from a raw and real place, in hopes that my listeners can connect with my truth,” the singer shared of the track. “This year that felt even more pivotal.”
With smooth, almost haunting vocals, the tracks recount the final moments you experience before letting someone go and the grief you experience after. With beautiful corresponding melodies, each of the three tracks adds an element of depth and further emotion to the single’s storyline. One all listeners can relate to.
“Not Fair” (Acoustic) by Bayside
The latest release from the iconic band’s upcoming acoustic album, “Not Fair” is the newest reimagined Bayside track that has us preparing for next Friday’s Acoustic Volume 3.
Taking the previously upbeat rock track and turning it into an almost folk-esque acoustic song that focuses heavily on string instruments and a driving percussion beat, “Not Fair” is the perfect release for the end of a hectic year.
With lyrics about constantly fighting the uphill battle that is life and the reality that nothing is quite fair, Bayside drive these ideas home with a unique vocal flair and punk meets folk sound that will have you curious for more similarly sounding tunes.
Doing what is best for yourself and what your heart wants are not always the same things, which is a complex issue UK based Captives tackle in their latest single “Glass Heart.”
Debuted this morning, “Glass Heart” navigates a relationship that has fallen apart and the process of accepting and moving on from the pain your previous partner has caused- despite what your heart may tell you to do.
Using a mix of rock, pop-punk and metalcore fused into a cohesive and distinct sonic profile, Captives showcase their talent as a band that surpass the boundaries of one genre- appealing to music fans of all tastes with smooth vocals, intense lyricism and overall perfectly written instrumentals.
“Christmas Mourn” by Kandle feat. Debra-Jean Creelman
Christmas is not always a happy time of year, especially when spending it alone or after a recent loss- especially amidst the 2020 pandemic that has separated families and loved ones across the globe.
But while it may not be the best year of celebration, Canadian songstress Kandle is reminding fans that they are not alone in their feelings of isolation or worry this holiday season with the release of her new single “Christmas Mourn.”
Inspired by feelings of loneliness and uncertainty that the general population is currently feeling, the singer shared that the song came from a method of coping.
“The only thing that can help folks like us to deal with the loneliness of a covid Christmas, is to attempt to write our very own Christmas classic.”
With a vocal feature from Mother Mother’s Debra-Jean Creelman, the new single puts Kandle’s unique and recognizable, soulful vocals on full display while a sort of slowed down and distorted Christmas melody plays in the background. A perfect song for a unique COVID-Christmas world.
Self described as an “ode to unbreakable love,” “Together,” is the newest single by pop singer and songwriter Nora Lei.
Inspired by the ups and down everyone experiences in a relationship and the constant need to work on issues together rather than apart, the new single is a fun pop anthem that will have all listeners wanting to dance along while also questioning their own relationship patterns.
“The song is all about fighting for your relationship. You remember the good times, hard times, and the times you start to feel crazy…but really you’re just scared,” Lei shares. “You both know you’re supposed to be together so you keep trying and, in the end, you’re glad you did.”
You can stream all of the above songs now, and be sure to check out our full December release playlist, linked below.
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