It is officially September, and that means two things.
First, we have successfully completed yet another month of the longest year ever. And Second, we are rapidly approaching the best time of the year: fall.
In order to help kick this new month off to a good start and help prepare us for the winding down of the summer weather, we have once more compiled a list of our favorite tracks from this past week for your consumption.
Check out our full New Music Friday favorites below, and check out our full September playlist, which will be updated as new releases come out, linked at the bottom.
“Something Happened” by The Big Lonesome
Opening on an old recording of various odd and poignant phrases before a soft percussion beat and guitar riff kick off the track, “Something Happened” is the latest single by Boston’s own The Big Lonesome.
A soft rock quartet, The Big Lonesome are best known for creating relaxed soundscapes and writing about some of life’s most vulnerable topics, including but not limited to growing up, addiction, relationships, depression and more- with “Something Happening,” being no different.
The third track to be released off of the band’s upcoming album “Payphones & Ashtrays,” “Something Happening,” navigates the feeling of having no time to rest, helps showcase the band’s which you can preorder here ahead of it’s debut next month.
“Wreck Beach/Totem Park” by The Zolas
After growing up and discovering the true history of their favorite after class hangouts, The Zolas wrote their latest single “Wreck Beach/Totem Park,” to acknowledge the Indigenous populations who were pushed out of these same now government regulated recreation areas.
“This song is about living my whole life beside the Musqueam reserve, never being taught nor thinking to ask why they live quietly in a small corner of a land that used to be all theirs,” the band shared. “The clear unfairness of it all really pulled back the curtain on the glossed-over, white-lie version we were given in Grade 10 social studies class.”
The song itself is an indie rock track accompanied by catchy percussion and accentuating piano/synth sounds. It promotes a relaxed, ‘end of a long vacation’-esque vibe, while also remaining politically conscious- calling out the fact that these areas were stolen from Indigeonous people and now are owned and regulated by the same groups who stole them. The song is simultaneously subtle in it’s message while also encouraging listeners to go learn more about the history of their favorite hangouts.
The most recent single off of his upcoming album, “City of Our Lives,” “KMOTM” is the newest song by singer/songwriter Peter Katz.
An abbreviation for “kiss me on the mouth,” “KMOTM” is described best by Katz himself, who explains that it is a “moody and sexy” track. With a darker sounding pop soundscape, “KMOTM” is about giving into the natural human desire for affection and learning to not feel bad or guilty about asking for what you need. It’s about finding comfort in being yourself, and forgiving yourself for not being put together and ‘perfect’ all the time.
“This song provides permission to connect with our messiness and darkness and be a bit more loving and accepting towards it,” the singer shared. “To feel free from the shame we often associate with feeling lonely, stuck, [or] needy.”
A perfect song for a much needed dance break in the middle of a long day, “KMOTM” reminds listeners that it is okay to want love, practice forgiveness, and accept the things you cannot change. All reminders we can all use a little more of.
“Work Friends” by Speaker Face
A commentary on the existence of work friends- or people you work with who you would not be close to if not for the forced shared proximity of the workspace- the latest single by Speaker Face is a hard hitting one.
An indie track that features both electronic beats and a potent string section, along with casual and yet highly self aware lyrics, “Work Friends” shares the hard truth that work colleagues are just that: friends for when you are at work. But unlike true friends, and those who have your back outside of your office space or the confines of your 9-5, work friends “never stick around when you need them.”
This track is a reminder that while it may hurt that the people you spend the most time with are not going to be there for you when you feel you need them most, you will always have your actual friends to run to. A lesson in keeping up with your adult friendships despite your busy schedule, “Work Friends” is both painful and hopeful, and the perfect song to listen to while clearing out your Facebook friends list after quitting a job that just doesn’t treat you right.
“Things You Said” by Silk Tonic
Second Society Report first discovered Silk Tonic earlier this summer with the release of their debut single “Summer Time.” A perfect, easy going song that made the perfect backing track to any relaxed summer day, the band quickly found themselves at the top of our ones to watch list. And now, just around two months later we are so happy to check out and share their brand new single “Things You Said.”
Written as an ode to those who you are no longer connected with, either by them exiting your life or passing on, and remembering the good times you shared with them, “Things You Said” is another acoustic pop song that exudes positivity and good vibes.
On a more personal note, this track is my favorite of the week due to the personal connection I have with it’s lyrics. After losing a family member earlier this summer, “Things You Said,” serves as a perfect reminder to appreciate and bask in the good memories you had with those who are no longer with us. Especially when you are really missing them.
Inspired by the decaying of a close friend’s relationship, “Cheap Gold” is all about discovering red flags and the less than glamorous side of your partner while slowly realizing that your relationship isn’t as perfect as you once thought it was.
“[The song] is about that part of a relationship I think everyone dreads,” singer Josh Tavares shares. “It’s not a breakup song per se, but a list of reasons why it should be.”
A gritty, alt- pop track at its core, “Cheap Gold” showcases the singer’s songwriting range, with audible emotion spilling out through his vocals, a steady driving percussion track, and a beautiful piano intro that sets the song’s dark tone from the first note.
And while this song may not be explicitly about a breakup, it is definitely one to add to any emotional or breakup playlists.
Over the past few months, Abby J Hall has become one of our favorite rising artists. With several new songs including “Little Things” and “Neighbor,” being added to her collection over the course of the summer, Hall has become a staple in our new music playlists. And now, we are so excited to add another new track to this list.
“All I Wanted,” which debuted this morning, is the latest single by the Ontario native, and navigates the desire to break the barrier between a surface level relationship and digging deeper to find a more emotional connection with a partner or a friend.
A pop song perfect for fans of fellow artists FLETCHER or Chelsea Cutler, “All I Wanted” is a reminder that it is okay to be vulnerable. And though It’s never easy to open up, especially when you aren’t sure how someone will respond to you, this track makes taking that leap feel a bit easier.
With everything that is currently happening in the world it is easy to let your mind wander to a better place. For some that may be reminiscing on last year, or the two months of 2020 we successfully had before the world shut down. For Molly., that daydream takes her far away and into the future- to a new sort of paradise.
And this fantasy is the exact thing that inspired her new song “Paradise,” which was written about the singer’s longing to return to normal life where the pandemic is over, skies are blue, and the hell of 2020 is just a distant memory.
An uptempo electronic indie track, “Paradise” gets listeners out of their own heads and into the singer’s future world. Perfect for dancing your troubles away this song will resonate especially well with anyone who is struggling to stay positive amidst the world collapsing around them.
And if you’re a fan of artists such as Florence and the Machine or Fleetwood Mac you’ll love Molly.’s unique yet familiar vocal styling- very reminiscent of Florence Welch and Stevie Nicks.
“Palo Santo” by Amanda Frances
A sultry and romantic track, “Palo Santo” is the debut single by Toronto based indie-pop star Amanda Frances.
After finding herself fascinated with an image of burning palo santo (aka holy wood, used as a natural remedy and for cleansing properties) and the romanticism of thunderstorms, Frances began piecing together her latest single by imagining a setting where intimacy and dramatics were at the forefront. Further inspired by the softness of golden hour and the euphoric feeling of quality time with a romantic partner, “Palo Santo” was born in just around a half hour.
Now, fully fleshed out and available to the public, “Palo Santo” is the perfect addition to any romantic playlists, and provides a soothing backtrack to a date night in.
“Feel (Do I Have Anyone?)” by Carly Shea
Technically, this song is not a September release, as it dropped during the final days of August. But, with a new music video that came out just yesterday and extremely relevant lyrics, it was a track we couldn’t help but include in this week’s roundup.
A pop song with hints of R&B and darker, soulful vibes, “Feel (Do I Have Anyone?)” is the latest track by singer/songwriter Carly Shea.
Written about the lack of connection and human interaction that faces both the digital age and the current state of global shutdowns amidst the pandemic, this track confronts feelings of loneliness head on. Pondering the question “do I have anyone?” Shea confronts her fears surrounding isolation and wonders if others both feel the same way and if anyone else is out there to support her. A track that mirrors society’s feelings at large, “Feel” comes at the perfect time, providing comfort to listeners who share Shea’s anxieties.
And with a music video showcasing Russian dancer Emphis physically recreating these feelings while isolated in her apartment, this track is brought to the next level.
You can stream all of the above tracks now over on our new September playlist and be sure to catch up on all tracks released last month on our August playlist, both linked below.
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