Happy Valentine’s Day weekend!
This week were are preparing for the weekend long love fest by sharing some of our favorite releases from the last week- especially ones that give us that warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with the perfect combination of good music and even better lyrics.
You can check out our top ten songs from the past week now, and as always- check out our full February Spotify playlist, linked at the bottom, for all of our faves for the month.
“WOULDYA BEE” by Kelseidoscope
The perfect track to kick off Valentine’s Day weekend- “WOULDYA BEE” is a cute, romantic single by rising songwriter Kelseidoscope.
Released this morning alongside a new music video, “WOULDYA BEE” gives listeners a glimpse at the first moments of falling for someone, when all you can think of is how happy you would be if you could experience the world with someone you deeply care about. With an upbeat indie-folk sound- the track is almost an audio representation of a sunny day- helping to remind listener’s of the better days ahead and the importance of finding joy in the little things.
““The chorus of Wouldya Bee first came to me while on a date at a bee sanctuary but I didn’t finish the song until years later,” the singer shares. “For a long time I thought romantic relationships were a distraction from personal and spiritual development, until I later realized love can be one of the greatest motivators.”
“What Took You So Long” (Acoustic) by Neck Deep
Neck Deep made waves in the pop punk scene when they released their creative concept album All Distorotions Are Intentional last July. And now the band are taking a look back at the album and reimagining one of their softer tracks perfectly in time for the holiday of love.
“What Took You So Long” (Acoustic) is a stripped back version of an already stripped down song. Replacing all electric guitars with acoustic ones, and adding a touch of mandolin for an extra ethereal feel, the new version amplifies the track’s lyrics and putes extra emphasis on the romance behind the words being sung. Hitting us extra hard in the gut, this track only further showcases Neck Deep’s range- stepping away from the angst of early day tracks such as their debut album closer “All Hype, No Heart” and into a mature sound that has perfectly aged with the band and their fan base.
“It’s a straight up love song, and love is a complex spectrum, so we felt having a softer version alongside the original would nicely depict the different forms that love can take,” frontman Ben Barlow shares. “[From] energetic and exciting, to delicate and meaningful- all in the same moment. We hoped that it could provide a little soundtrack to those beautiful moments with this rendition.”
“Peace Offering” by Youth Fountain
Taking a step away from the Valentine’s day tracks- “Peace Offering” is the latest single by Canadian emo act Youth Fountain and is perhaps one of the most personally relatable releases of the week.
A pop punk styled track, “Peace Offering” navigates the mental battle between wanting to find a quick fix for your insecurities and mental health struggles while also wanting to actually take time for yourself to heal and learn how to cope on your own. Reciting lines such as “is this what I need- a new love for a false sense of peace?” and “I couldn’t be enough for anyone when I hate myself,” the song’s narrator acknowledges their tendency to hide their problems in assurance from other people even though deep down they know this will not change how they feel about themselves.
An honest and raw track, this single is the first of the year for Youth Fountain but gives us high hopes for what the rest of the year will bring.
“Youth On Fire” by World’s First Cinema
World’s First Cinema made their initial debut at the end of 2020 with the release of their single “Can’t Feel Anything,” launching the announcement of their project. And now, just two months later, the band are making their official debut with the release of their new EP Rituals.
Released this morning, the EP features four songs: “Can’t Feel Anything,” “Red Run Cold” (as well as an alternate version), “Cold Sets In” and the brand new single “Youth On Fire.”
An uptempo song that serves as a perfect closing track, “Youth On Fire” will leave you feeling hyped up and ready to conquer anything that may lay in your way. With an ever present string section that helps amplify the track’s intensity along with a percussion track that will have you tapping along as soon as it begins- this song is the perfect way to close out a debut- leaving us amped about what’s next to come from World’s First Cinema.
Self-described as a “daydream in a song,” the latest single by Eighty Ninety is like listening to the passing of a cloud on a sunny day: relaxing and beautiful.
Titled “Forever,” the single is a light and airy pop track about imagining your perfect relationship with someone that you’ve had a history with. And though on your end things seem to have a bountiful potential, and you find yourself constantly dreaming about your future together- the other person doesn’t quite feel the same way about you anymore.
With the song’s narrator running through multiple scenarios that both lead to a future together and a future apart, the song is a realistic take on love. Sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them to- but that’s okay. It takes some work, and won’t always be easy- but this song will help that weight feel at least a little bit lighter.
If you’re a fan of politically charged punk rock, such as Green Day or Linkin Park, you do not want to miss out on Chaser.
Gearing up for the release of their new album, the SoCal natives have just released their second single of the new year- and it holds no punches back.
Calling out the current state of disarray that is America’s political system, the track is a purely punk warning call for the political elite- letting them know that the world is watching for any suspicious moves. And though the song has quite a bit of angst laden verses, it also reminds the underdog that they can fight back and win. It just takes one match to strike a fire.
“False Reality” by Signal Fire and The Ellameno Beat
Another track that takes a social and political stance this week is “False Reality,” a modern collaboration between Signal Fire and The Ellameno Beat.
Written and recorded remotely by both bands as a response to the January 6th attack on the Capitol in Washington D.C. “False Reality” is a reggae inspired track that calls out political systems and media that regularly promote false narratives or information in order to push certain ideologies or agendas.
Pointing out the harmful nature of conspiracy culture, the track encourages listeners to be free-thinking and is a great reminder to always do your research before blindly following someone’s instruction. Especially if said instruction is harmful to those around you.
“I’m directly voicing my feelings and frustrations about the current state of society,” The Ellameno Beat frontman Reggie Froom shares. “My statements are aimed directly at particular media sources, personalities, political figures, and citizens of this nation who have chosen to follow the lead of baseless conspiracy theory, and abandon any and all truth that does not serve their own self-interest.”
Our first loves will always hold a special place in our hearts- whether we want them to or not. And naturally with this sentimental value comes a nagging wonder in the back of our minds about whether or not our first love could have been our last love- had the relationship played out differently.
And luckily for anyone who has had these same thoughts, Chapel is here to provide a soundtrack to this feeling with their new single “First Love.”
Exploring the “could-haves” and “should-haves” that come with relationship nostalgia, “First Love” is an electro-pop track that puts a realistic spin on looking back at the past. Acknowledging the love you share(d) with that former special someone, the track is a reminder that you don’t always need to revisit the past, and that sometimes it’s better to reminisce, have a drink, and move on. #SelfLove
Crushes are inevitable. And no matter how much we may try to fight off our romantic desires for another person- oftentimes this leads us to daydreaming even more about what our futures with said person may hold- especially when we think they may feel the same way. And it is this exact struggle that is found present in another track perfect for the upcoming Valentine’s day weekend- “Bed of Roses” by Tishmal.
An idealistic pop song with a touch of electro beats, “Bed of Roses” shares a story of longing and desire. Through the process of wondering if a relationship can come of the few blissful interactions you have had, the song’s narrator recounts the process of being young and in love while also acknowledging the impact of youth and fast paced hookups on dating culture. And though there is always a change of something not working out- Tishmal’s cool voice and unique tone makes us want to give our ideal relationships a go in order to achieve our own “bed of roses” feeling.
“Mind Made Up” by Dominique Fils-Aimé
Acknowledging our mental health battles and consciously choosing to try to improve them are two entirely different processes- and the latest single by Dominique Fils-Aimé “Mind Made Up” tackles just that.
The final single to be released from the songstress’ new album Three Little Words, which is the final album in a trilogy that explores African American musical history and culture- “Mind Made Up” is a smooth, 60s inspired track that emphasises the importance of putting yourself first and being okay with not being okay. After all, the first step to healing is confronting your demons head on and moving towards a path of growth and recovery.
“As we try to rid our lives of toxic relationships, striving to evict intrusive thoughts that occupy our minds is one of the biggest challenges,” the singer shares. “‘Mind Made Up’ is an encouragement to accept that challenge in all its forms and manifestations. The dream of getting better comes with a leap of faith where we have to accept our vulnerabilities in order to get to the source of the problem. When we allow ourselves to fall into our emotions and accept that we have a problem, we can truly begin the arduous yet necessary task of bettering oneself.”
You can stream all of the above tracks now, and be sure to check out the February playlist linked below to check out all of our favorite releases from the past month.
Leave a Reply