Happy New Music Friday, everyone!
This week was once again full of tons of new releases. With everything from folk to jazz to dream pop to prog rock, this Friday had new music from every genre you could want, covering every topic you could possibly need a song for. From unrequited crushes to bedtime routines, this New Music Friday is stacked.
You can check out all of our favorite releases from the past week below, and if you like what you hear or want to check out songs we’ve previously featured, be sure to check out our full August Release playlist, linked at the bottom.
“Buzzin'” – Dan Miraldi
A dreamy folk inspired song, “Buzzin'” is the latest single by New York based singer/songwriter Dan Miraldi.
A song about longing for someone as you’re falling in love and wishing they would stay with you, “Buzzin'” is a classic folk song with a punch of rock. Reminiscent of music from the 1960s, the track has an element of nostalgia that is both fresh and unique while also sounding familiar. It provides listeners with a sense of comfort that makes it extremely easy to listen to and also enjoy.
It is the perfect song to throw on before you grab your partner and slow dance around your kitchen.
“The Hook” – NONEWFRIENDS
NONEWFRIENDS, a New York based collaboration between a group of students at Syracuse University, are known for their fusions of genre and their willingness to push the limits of standard “music rules.” After making their debut last year with their single “Already Gone,” the band began to gain a following outside of Syracuse, and today, the band are coming back with a sophomore hit, “The Hook.”
Opening on a jazzy saxophone solo before a piano takes over as the main instrumental, “The Hook” is a pop meets R&B track that navigates the feeling of being done with someone’s shit and taking the steps to distance yourself from that person. With beautiful soulful vocals, jazz infused percussion and catchy lyrics, this track is one of our favorite releases of the week.
And while their music sounds as though it has taken decades to perfect, NONEWFRIENDS are well beyond their years- planning on returning to Syracuse at the end of this year to both return to their undergraduate studies and gear up towards releasing their debut EP.
“In Flux” – Flux Psyche
Released last weekend, “In Flux” is the newest release by California based singer/songwriter Flux Psyche.
Giving fans the first look at somewhat of a new direction for the singer, “In Flux,” is the debut single from their upcoming EP, and was inspired by the singer’s feelings of anxiety and stress regarding the future of their career.
With lyrics that were written in an impressive ten minutes, this track navigates these anxieties and tackles coming to terms with the future. Featuring dreamy pop soundscapes infused with an ominous synth backing, the track presents listeners with an instrumental representation of this sense of uncertainty, while also taking them on a journey through a variety of sonic elements.
“I woke up one morning and I heard the tune for the chorus in my head. So I started building around that and just writing lyrics about my current situation and environment,” the singer shared about the writing process.
“I was stressed about the future of my career, feeling really torn about it,[all while] outside dawn was breaking and birds were chirping. All of that just poured out of me and onto paper.”
Self described as “trip-hoppy synth-poppy goth,” Flux Psyche is an up-and-coming artist who credits their sound to influences like Massive Attack and Beach House. They aim to create sonically unique music that leaves listeners feeling understood while also showing them a creative mix of sounds unlike what is currently on the radio.
“Sunbeam” – CENSUS (TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: SEXUAL ASSAULT)
“Sunbeam,” which dropped today, is the latest emotional single by Arkansas prog rock band CENSUS.
An extremely personal song to the band, “Sunbeam” navigates growing up and coping with childhood trauma- specifically related to sexual assault. Written by vocalist Ben Carey after learning that a close friend survived similar trauma, “Sunbeam” sets out to give a voice of support to survivors and remind them that they are not alone in their battles.
With pop-rock style vocals and metal inspired instrumentals, CENSUS use their talents to mix hard hitting lyrics with heavier sounding backing- representing both the pain and strength behind the track’s story.
““Sunbeam” is a song we wrote about how common and cyclical abuse is within relationships,” the band shared. “We wanted to create a music video that brings awareness to sexual assault, but also demonstrates the inner turmoil that victims live with on a day to day basis.”
Alongside the releases, the band also debuted a new gut wrenching music video that touches on the lasting effects of assault. *Please be advised that the music video does depict hints at sexual abuse towards a child, so please watch with caution.*
If you have been personally impacted by sexual assault or abuse, please know that you are not alone. We believe you, we see you, and we support you.
“Desperate” – Gillian Heidi
We first discovered Gillian Heidi with her single “High” earlier this year, and now are so happy to share her new song “Desperate,” which hit streaming services earlier this morning.
A pop meets R&B song about a desire for someone who is not your partner, “Desperate” navigates the taboo of not knowing who you should be with after developing feelings for someone else. Through both the relaxed instrumentals and controlled yet raw emotions that come through in the singer’s voice, the track has a sense of unbridled honesty that confronts an experience nearly everyone can relate to at one point in their lifetime- though most won’t admit it.
As the third single from Heidi’s upcoming debut album “3AM,” which is set to be released later this year, “Desperate” once again proves that at the young age of 16, Gillian’s vocals and songwriting are well beyond her years, showcasing a sense of maturity and professionalism that likens her to artists decades older.
“Real Shot” – Devan
An emotional and raw single, “Real Shot” is the debut single by Wild Rivers’ Devan Glover, who is stepping out solo to explore a new side of her musical repertoire.
Co written by Adam Boukis, Kyle Reynolds and Tyler Shamy, “Real Shot” questions a past relationship and whether or not it could have blossomed into something more if additional time and energy had been invested into it before things were called off.
Steeped in feelings of nostalgia, the track showcases Devan’s soulful and unique vocal styling in addition to showing off her songwriting in a new light- moving away from Wild Rivers’ folk styling and more towards creating her own niche sound. A perfect way to kick off her solo career.
“Waiting For You” – Wayley
A song full of hope and passion, “Waiting For You” is the new single by folk pop artist Wayley.
A classic tale of a blooming crush and the desire to take a relationship beyond the friendship stage into a serious relationship, “Waiting For You” documents feelings of longing towards a close friend. In the case of the song, a girl named Anna.
Full of light, almost beach-y vibes, the track is a pop song at its roots, but features a bit of a twist byway of the additional sounds of trumpet played by Troy Dowding and cello played by Laura Jones. With the addition of mandolin and ukulele played by Wayley, the instrumental elements of the song keep it interesting throughout, while also helping make listeners feel at ease and ready to bop along as they reminisce on similar feelings of unrequited love.
“Thirsty” – BROOKLXN
After spending time out at various bars and watching as men fruitlessly attempted to pick up women last summer, Brooklxn created the idea for her new single “Thirsty,” which is all about demanding respect for yourself when others don’t show you enough of it.
“Thirsty” is about showing a man who is boss and who makes the rules,” the singer shared. “I believe that a man should treat you like a queen and want to get to know you. He needs to show you respect before you decide to take another step further into that relationship.”
A catchy pop song that features elements of R&B, “Thirsty” is a certified bop. It will have you dancing in your seat within the first thirty seconds, and help hype you up even on your worst days. It’s clear that Brooklxn knows her worth, and that that she wants her female listeners to know theirs too.
“I want this song to empower women: to set higher expectations so you’re treated the way you deserve to be treated.”
“sugarblind” – KiNG MALA
An alternative indie-pop track, “sugarblind” is the latest release by Los Angeles based singer/songwriter KiNG MALA, who has somehow escaped our playlists until today.
Described as a mix of Bishop Briggs meets Ashe, KiNG MALA takes pride in speaking their mind, and representing what it means to be a badass feminist and activist. She is not afraid of being candid in her lyrics or talking about personal experiences. And “sugarblind” is no different, as it equates a desire for something sweet like sugar to lusting after a potential romantic partner.
With several metaphors and euphemisms strewn throughout the lyrics, the track is both cheeky and instrumentally catchy, with a hint of a dark and mysterious soundscape overlaying MALA’s raspy but powerful vocals.
One of our favorite songs of the week, “sugarblind” is unapologetic and a perfect glimpse into the edgier side of KiNG MALA’s musical catalog.
“Bedtime” – Ellie D.
Released at the end of last month, “Bedtime” is the latest single by LA based pop singer, Ellie D.
And though the track officially debuted July 31st, today the singer gave fans a little more to look dive into with the release of the track’s official music video.
Inspired by Ellie’s racing mind, which, like most of us, hits her the hardest right before she goes to sleep, “Bedtime” is a track all about battling the parts of your brain prone to overthinking and anxiety, and trying to channel that energy into creativity.
Throughout the video the singer can be seen lounging around her living space, dancing outside, and taking viewers on glimpses of her life as she sings to the camera.
“Minneapolis Man” – Rükiye and Tylarik
In classic New Music Friday fashion we have one single that somehow fell through the cracks a few weeks back and now has made their way into our playlists as a staple. This week, that song is “Minneapolis Man.”
Inspired by the murder of George Floyd earlier this year, “Minneapolis Man” is a collaborative track between Rükiye and Tylarik, and was written by Giorgos Hondralis.
A brutally honest, emotional track both lyrically and instrumentally, “Minneapolis Man” tackles the topics of racism and police brutality while retelling the tragic story of Floyd’s death. Putting heavy emphasis on the importance of advocating for justice and also questioning why inequality exists at all, this track reinforces the statement “Black Lives Matter” in a personal and gut-wrenching way.
With elements of funk, rock, and soul music, this song is one of the most powerful releases of this year, and is a song we encourage all of our readers to listen to.
You can stream all of the songs mentioned above now, and if you like what you hear and want to add them to your daily mix, be sure to check out our full August release playlist, over on Spotify.
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