The year is officially half over now as we come to a close on the first week of June. And as crazy as that seems after what feels like ten years of COVID-19 precautionary shutdowns,we are now inching one month closer to the return to live music- and a slow return to a much needed sense of normalcy.
And what better way for an artist to prepare for what will likely be a fall full of tour announcements and reopening plans than by getting all of your fans hyped up with the release of some brand new music.
With new release dates hitting our timelines daily and new singles coming out of the woodwork, we are once more blessed this week with some dance-worthy, some cry-worthy, and all around playlist-worthy tracks that we’d love to share with you.
So without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen- The Weekend (playlist).
We knew from the second that Felicity’s cover of “Watermelon Sugar” was sent our way that they would be a band to watch. And we were so right.
Having released three new singles so far this year, all of which show a different side to the rock band, the group are once more adding to their discography yesterday with the release of their newest single, “Lonely Nights.”
A track about the emotional and mental downfalls that can come after a breakup, “Lonely Nights” is seeped in vulnerability and heartbreak in a way that will have you relating almost instantly and making a mental note to add it to any post-heartache playlists you may someday need.
Giving fans a glimpse into the band’s softer side, “Lonely Nights” is also the latest look into their upcoming debut album, Dear Universe, which will drop July 16th. Giving fans ample time to stream all four of their so-far released singles and prepare themselves for whatever is to come.
We’ve said this before but Summer Salt are truly one of the best bands to throw on if you are in need of relaxed summertime vibes that are perfect for lazy days in or a soundtrack for a day on the town. And once again, the band have added to their collection of indie movie meets coming of age story soundtrack tunes with their new single “Hocus Pocus.”
With a dream like instrumental track and subtle vocals that grab your attention just the right amount, “Hocus Pocus” is a song about moving on from relationships that are no longer healthy to stay in. Referencing platonic or romantic encounters, the track shares the process of accepting the things you can’t change about people and the fact that they’ve changed your life by being in it- whether that’s been for better or for worse.
With a casual and cool feel that lets listener’s lose themselves in the melody, this song is a great way to start off the summer on a high note by letting go of anything and anyone who doesn’t treat you as you need.
“Palm Reader (All Time Low Remix)” by DREAMERS (Feat. Upsahl, Big Boi)
When DREAMERS originally released “Palm Reader” featuring Upsahl and Big Boi back in March, it became our most listened to track almost instantly. One of the catchiest, most infectious tracks to be released this year, it seemed nearly impossible for the track to get better. But then All Time Low took a stab at it.
Released yesterday, “Palm Reader (All Time Low Remix)” takes the already great song to a new level. Changing very few parts of the track and staying true to the vibe that the original trio created, All Time Low showed off their musical prowess by adding a subtly distorted guitar verse and some heavier percussion that stayed consistent throughout the length of the song- giving the impression of a sped up tempo that somehow made “Palm Reader” even MORE catchy. With a punk rock flair, this track is ready to kick you into high gear and have you ready to close out your Sunday on a high note.
“No Fear” by Yultron (feat. Amber Liu, Kellin Quinn)
If there’s any category of song that hits harder than usual after surviving a year and a half long global pandemic, it’s songs about coming together to stand up against adversity. And the new Yultron track “No Fear” is just that.
Featuring vocalists Amber Liu of f(x) fame and Sleeping With Sirens’ Kellin Quinn, “No Fear” is a mix of smooth EDM, catchy pop beats and unexpected but perfectly paired vocal tracks. Giving off the perfect message of what we hope to be a fun (and safe!) summer, the song is a reminder that with the right people by your side you can truly accomplish anything.
And while a lot of electronic music doesn’t usually find its way into our weekend playlists, somewhat due to our own affinity for more rock-style tracks, “No Fear” is a song we have no doubt will get the attention of even the biggest music snobs.
“Bloody Knuckles” by Sleeping With Sirens
We couldn’t mention Kellin Quinn this week without also giving some extra attention to his main project, Sleeping With Sirens and their brand new track “Bloody Knuckles.”
As someone who has been a casual Sleeping With Sirens fan since high school (and is now many years removed from college), there are few things this band could release that would disappoint fans. With a constant drive to explore new sounds and never release two albums that sound identical, Sleeping With Sirens have always come across as experts in their craft, and “Bloody Knuckles” is no different.
A high energy, uptempo song about never backing down from a fight and standing up for what you think you deserve- regardless of what those around you may say or do in retaliation, “Bloody Knuckles” is another badass track that will get you hyped up and ready to take 2021 by storm.
And giving us a similar feeling to NMF alumni track “DAYWALKER!” by Machine Gun Kelly and coming just shortly after a Kellin Quinn x MGK collab (stream “love race”) we can only hope more releases of this caliber or potentially more punk rock super-collaborations are in our future.
If you have ever jokingly referred to mercury being in retrograde as “mercury in gatorade,” this track is one you have to listen to.
Appropriately named after her love of astrology and also the casual joke that is mercury being in gatorade, “Gatorade” is the latest single by multi-talented performer Cait Fairbanks, also known as Ginesse. Featuring indie-meets techno- meets dream pop style instrumentals and soft but potent vocals, “Gatorade” is a track about reliving past relationships in your head despite trying your hardest to forget any history you may have had.
Paying homage to the chaos that seems to occur every time mercury is in retrograde, including a tendency to re-think your entire life and find yourself caught in your feels more often than not (just us?) Ginesse uses the song to explore and relive her favorite moments with past lovers that feels both relatable and validating for anyone who can say “been there, done that.”
“For some reason, mercury going into retrograde has always put me in a very nostalgic place,” the singer shares. “It’s a love letter to those I shared time with where the doors have remained open without resolution and without a clear understanding of why.”
“Sticky (Piano Version)” by The Maine feat. SHAED
When The Maine released “Sticky,” earlier this spring, it immediately became clear that their upcoming album, XOXO From Love and Anxiety In Real Time (July 9) was going to be the album of the summer. And similar to how we felt about DREAMERS and “Palm Reader,” it seemed as though “Sticky” couldn’t possibly be altered in any way that would be better than the original. But once more we were wrong, as The Maine showed us with the new striped down “Sticky” piano version.
Featuring the group SHAED’s lead vocalist Chelsea Lee, “Sticky (Piano Version)” turns the original release into a more emotional, romantic ballad rather than keeping with its original pop tempo. And though the only thing that changed is the tempo and instrumental track (as well as the vocal feature), this new version feels as though it’s an entirely different song all together, giving us one more perfect playlist addition and amping up our excitement even more for XOXO.
You can stream all of the above tracks now, wherever you stream music. And as always, be sure to check out our ever growing June playlist, featuring all of these releases and more, linked below:
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