[new] Frankie Cosmos – “One Year Stand” (160bpm Bmaj)
[new] Khalid – “Skyline” (120bpm Bmaj)
The super-annoying auto-tuned chorus at the beginning almost made me hit the ‘next’ button, but I’m glad I stayed with it. This is a solid pop record.
[new] Benee – “Beach Boy” (111bpm Bmaj)
St. Vincent – “Pay Your Way In Pain” (63bpm Bmaj Bmin)
St. Vincent definitely brings it on this one. It’s got a sick down-tempo groove with a fat analog synth bassline, terrific multi-layered vocal harmonies that kinda slug you in the gut, (the chords used are reminiscent of Prince’s style,) and lead vocals that are fun, over-the-top and portray a drama-queen caricature that’s both fun to listen to and punchable. Love the video too with its “shot on video” motif complete with tube cameras that show comet tails. Nice!
[new] Charlie Burg – “Lancaster Nights” (96bpm Bmaj)
I liked this song so much I listened to some of Charlie Burg’s other stuff. Sadly, most of it was pretty awful. Hopefully this record is more indicative of where he’s headed because it really has a lot going for it. Out of the gate, it’s groovy but just when you think you know where it’s going, it takes some unconventional left turns. I liked being surprised especially when it’s with wonderful horn arrangements and riffs, great harmonies and background vocals, sophisticated chord progressions and tight, disciplined production. And it has a GREAT ending too. Bravo, Mr. Burg. Please do more of this!
[fav] Little Daylight – “Mona Lisa” (128bpm Bmaj)
This is a really good pop tune from a now defunct band from Brooklyn called Little Daylight. They split up and two of their members formed a new band call Me Not You. They’re worth checking out as well. I really like Nikki Taylor’s vocals. She has a pure tone and good articulation. And there’s never ever any vocal fry which is delightful.
[new] Public – “Honey In The Summer” (114bpm Bmaj)
A nice bubble gum pop record to groove out to. Nice rhythm guitar. The lyrics are a little silly… I guess he doesn’t have a girlfriend, so he’s decided his car is his girlfriend. Is he officially saying he’s a mechanophiliac? (You didn’t know that was a thing, did you?) Or is he just trying to turn his lemons into lemonade?