It is a new year, a new week and as of Wednesday, a brand new presidency. And what better way to celebrate the sudden influx of Bernie Sanders memes and a newfound nationwide sense of hope than with some brand new music to keep our spirits elevated and hearts full!
With some debut singles from rising stars such as LILHUDDY to a heavily awaited return from Birdy, this week is packed with songs that will have you smiling from ear to ear and dancing your weekend away.
So without further ado, you can view our top picks for the past week below, and be sure to check out and follow our full January Spotify Playlist- stocked up with all of our favorite releases from the past four weeks- linked below.
We first discovered The Kelseys back in September when they released their ever relevant single “Save the World.” And now, continuing on their monthly release schedule, the band have once more released a song that is oh so relatable titled “Pedestrian.”
A track that can have multiple meanings, “Pedestrian” is a soft indie rock song that highlights the experience of watching the world pass you by as you remain static. With heavy focus on group vocals and a repetitive, catchy guitar riff, the song leaves listeners feeling at ease while also forcing them to ponder their existence in the larger scheme of the world. Are you also watching life pass you by or are you actively fighting against time?
With lyrical references to the current state of the world, such as “they say these days to stay indoors,” and “do they realize space won’t break these ties,” the song can be interpreted both as a reflection of general life and of the immediate present. Will the pandemic ruin how we communicate with others? Or will it remind us to be more present in our lives once things return to normal?
“21st Century Vampire” by LILHUDDY
Chase Hudson rose his way to TikTok fame last year as a co-creator of the ‘Hype House’ and now the 18-year-old is now expanding his talents beyond the realm of social media.
After making his film debut last week in Machine Gun Kelly’s musical drama “Downfalls High,” Hudson, who is best known by his stage name LILHUDDY, has now proved his own musical chops with the release of his debut single “21st Century Vampire.”
A pop-punk inspired track similar to the recent stylings of LILHUDDY’s recent collaborator Machine Gun Kelly, “21st Century Vampire” is an ode to acknowledging your differences and embracing them, rather than trying to hide or be ashamed of them. Playing up the idea of being a vampire as a reference to being an outcast- the track reminds listeners that it’s okay to be yourself, and serves as a great way for LILHUDDY to connect with his younger fanbase and anyone struggling with their own identity.
“It’s okay to be different. That’s the message I’m relaying,” the vocalist shares. “ In a lot of ways, I’m a very misunderstood kid too. People don’t know the whole story or who I really am. I’ve always wanted to be my full self. Music is my way to finally show them.”
A welcome return to the recording studio after a five year break from recording, UK based songstress Birdy is ready to make herself heard with the announcement of her upcoming album and a brand new single.
The first new music to be released in nearly five years, save for her 2020 EP Piano Sketches, “Surrender” is the first song to be debuted from Birdy’s upcoming album Young Heart. Giving fans an inside look into the singer’s life and mature growth since her last album, the new single is a heartbreaking folk-esque tune about trying to move on while also being tied to someone inexplicably.
With haunting but ethereal vocals, simple but hard hitting lyrics, and a very light instrumental backing that fully puts the singer’s voice at the forefront of the track, “Surrender” is a beautiful glimpse into what Young Heart has to offer. It showcases a warmth and vulnerability that can only come with life experience, and has us feeling extremely excited for more new music.
A song about trying to break free from a repetitive pattern, “Circles” is the latest single by alternative rock band Velvet Skyline.
With rich instrumentals throughout the song giving it a groovy yet impactful grunge feel underneath vocalist Taylor Seerden’s distinct vocals, the track calls attention to the band’s softer side following last year’s “By My Side.”
Giving listeners a small glimpse into the band’s upcoming album What We Have In Common, “Circles” starts the theme of telling a coming of age story through music. This particular piece being about moving on from trying to be noticed by someone, the single is easily relatable and gives us high hopes for what the band’s full album will have in store.
Songs about new relationships are not new. In fact, nearly every artist who has ever written a song has written about the feeling of falling in love or being scorned. But what is not usually catalogued is the feeling of guilt that sometimes comes with a new love- especially when you know it came at the expense of someone else. And to navigate this feeling, emotional duo Your Paris have created their new single “First.”
Heavily driven by vocalist Laila’s angelic vocal stylings, “First” explains the feeling of being happy, guilty and heartbroken at the same time. Telling the story of sharing a love with someone who has a history of previous loving relationships, the single recounts feelings of guilt and sadness that come with realizing you’ve been put first this time, but it hasn’t always been that way and now someone else is left heartbroken.
Something nearly anyone who’s dated can relate to, this single showcases a soft, vulnerable side of Your Paris while also showing they are not stuck to any one songwriting formula or performance style.
TAROT first landed on our radar last year when she released her upbeat single “Salt Water Taffy,” and now we are getting a whole new look at the singer’s talents with her new song “Holding On.”
A romantic and nostalgia tinged song, TAROT’s “Holding On,” recounts several memories spent with a loved one, only for it to be revealed as the lyrics progress that each of these memories were actually dreams- reimagining the past as though it was the present in order to hold onto a love that no longer exists.
With very relaxed but soulful vocals and a timeless sound that transports listeners to an almost dreamlike state themselves, the song gives fans a look at an alternative and vulnerable side to TAROT. And to quote the singer herself, “Holding On” is the “perfect [song] to turn on [while] sitting by a fireplace mid January.”
“2023 (Reimagined)” by Highwind feat. Idle Wave
A solo project fronted by Chris Russo, New Jersey pop-rock band Highwind have revisited an old track this week as they accidentally reimagine their 2019 single “2023.”
Rewritten after a live recording session didn’t turn out as planned, “2023 (Reimagined)” was a reworking of the original track from the ground up. Stripping away the original’s full band sound, the new version puts heavy focus on softer instrumentals, with acoustic guitar and light electro-piano melodies coming to the forefront. Also toning down the more pop-punk style vocals, Russo channels a more emotional and vulnerability in his verses, which are accompanied by Idle Wave’s Guy Battaglia both on vocals and guitar.
A beautiful amalgamation of new writing techniques that formed by a sudden need for change, “2023 (Reimagined)” is a great look into Highwind’s future endeavors, which Russo confirmed when commenting on the release. “It definitely opened my eyes to different ways I can approach my songwriting. This version is also a great transition into the new songs that are going to follow this release.”
If you are looking for a new girl group to become obsessed with we have the perfect new release for you. Meet SZNS- a quartet who know their worth and are ready to let the world know it too with the release of their new girl power anthem, “Behave.”
Released this morning, “Behave” is a song all about owning your power and not letting anyone else put you down. Inspired by all the times the group themselves had experienced being told to “behave” or “act like a lady,” the single is unapologetic in its presentation and makes all listeners feel as though they can conquer the world themselves- regardless what their critics may say.
“‘Behave’ is for every girl who’s been told to act like a lady: to sit up straight, be polite, to let the grown ups talk,” the group shared. “Our entire lives we’ve been told that we’re ‘doing too much’ or acting ‘too intense’ – Behave is about being unapologetic, and taking up the space you deserve.”
And with catchy lyrics and an even catchier latin-pop inspired beat, you won’t be able to listen to “Behave” and sit still.
You can stream all of the above releases now, wherever you stream music, and be sure to check out our full January release playlist, linked below.
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