Music to YOUR Ears (March 22, 2024)
Reviews of the eight brilliant new tunes on my #NewMusicMoves playlist
The best part of my professional life is the time I get to spend hunting for new music. I devote as much time as I can riffling through playlists, blogs, etc. Every Friday, my eight favorite songs of the week appear on the #NewMusicMoves playlist (which is sponsored by the lovely folks at VERO True Social).
Here are my reviews of this week’s picks… hit the link to hear ‘em. If you enjoy the playlist, please give it a “save” or a “follow”… or whatever they call it! Hehehe…
MATT NATHANSON – Map at the Mall
One of the joys of following an artist like Matt Nathanson is tracking the evolution of his creativity and world view over time. On this first single since his critically praised 2022 album, Boston Accents, the singer/songwriter empathetically reckons with the poignance of losing the youthful ability to “dream big because your problems were small.” Nathanson further addresses that process of aging with words that provide equal parts of resigned despair and wistful remembrance. He performs with heartfelt wisdom that eschews the temptation of bitterness inside an arrangement of organic, piano-drums-guitar instrumentation that adds to its warmth and relatability. A single that fits perfectly in Nathanson’s cannon of life ruminations.
ROSEHARDT – The Navidson Record
After several highly effective flirtations with hip-hop listeners, Rosehardt enters the era of his new album, the world gets smaller each day it seems to shrink (due May 10), with a lush, ‘70s-flavored funk banger. The song’s irresistibly infectious melody and its insinuating bass line provide the foundation for a sweetly soulful vocal that swoops and swirls from beautiful low register singing to fluttering falsetto passages. “The Navidson Record” draws inspiration from the best-selling book House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski, offering the listener smarter-than-average lyrics while never sacrificing commercial viability. Already an acclaimed actor – currently seen in Broadway’s An Enemy of the People – the time has come for Rosehardt to enjoy comparable kudos in music.
ALLEGRA MILES – Sunny
Los Angeles-based singer Allegra Miles will be familiar to viewers of the U.S. version of the Voice television show, on which she was a finalist. With the summery “Sunny,” she makes a compelling bid to be among the few performers to achieve commercial success as a recording artist. The track is a vibrant drum’n’bass romp, replete with a candy-sweet melody and a catchy, harmony-laden chorus that immediately embeds itself in your brain. Miles’ is the ultimate key to the single’s success, as she exudes unabashed joy and charisma throughout.
RIDE – Monaco
The venerable indie shoegaze/alt-rock band Ride previews Interplay – their fourth album since reuniting in 2014 – with a lush, guitar-centric jam that wisely doesn’t try to reinvent their trademark sound. Rather, “Monaco” shows the band doubling down their penchant for synthesized chords and propulsive beats. Singer Mark Gardener moves through the track with palpable authority and a fun bit of gothic flair. Despite Ritchie Kennedy’s layered, wall-of-sound production, “Monaco” has a raucous live feel that bodes well for its inclusion in the band’s set during their forthcoming tour.
SARAH LAKE – Soul Shaker
Nashville-rooted indie country artist Sarah Lake does an exemplary job of affirming her reverence for the genre’s roots, while also effectively playing the pop game on this midtempo charmer. Producer Anthony Olympia populates the arrangement with subtle banjo and slide-guitar licks, while also providing a smooth, youth-oriented groove. It’s a combination that sparks a vocal from Lake that has a friendly, homespun quality occasionally reminiscent of early Taylor Swift. Overall, “Soul Shaker” has all that purists require to establish country credibility, but it will also sound just dandy on mainstream radio airwaves.
SOMEBODY’S CHILD – Oh Emily
Irish alt-rock band Somebody’s Child will undoubtedly continue their ascent into pop consciousness with the bouncy “Oh Emily.” Produced by Shea Tohill, the band’s guitarist, the track is propelled by a beat that is reminiscent of “Close to Me” by the Cure, as well as a yearning, sing-along chorus that will be ample crowd-chanting fodder during live shows. Lead singer Cian Godfrey is evolving into a confident frontman, displaying a cheeky charm that adds to the song’s overall appeal. An interesting peek into the band’s next album.
JOHN GRANT – It’s a Bitch
Adventurous listeners who crave a bit of vintage funk with a dollop of heady intelligence needn’t look any further than this first offering from John Grant’s forthcoming new album, The Art of the Lie (due June 14). The Iceland-based, Michigan-born singer/tunesmith indulges in his penchant for chunky, ‘70s-spiked electronic grooves, while poking fun at post-COVID malaise with his typically acerbic wit. The pleasure of Grant’s work is that it’s always dense with cerebral wordplay that is rife with obscure cultural references – all while keeping his melodies taut and instantly infectious. It’s a nourishing combination that has made him a cult hero who is always cheekily flirting with above-ground acceptance. Could this be the moment?
ARGY w/SON OF SON – Faust
Greek-born, UK-based producer/DH Argy has cultivated a club sound that masterfully plays to current dance floor trends, while also functioning within a framework of notable originality. It’s an impressive feat renders tracks like “Faust,” the lead single from the just-released album New World, a refreshing alternative to the same ol’ electro-dance track. With the aid of vocalist Son of Son’s hypnotic chants, Argy has crafted a song that will add some much-needed excitement and dramatic flair to peak hour DJ sets.