A rapid review of recent releases

This week has been brutal, as I have written nine papers in the last seven days. So, since my brain is melting, I'm just going to go over some songs I listened to this week. Most of them were lead singles/promotional early-album singles and whatnot, so that's the theme of this blog. I wrote the title like this because I adore alliteration.

Recent Promotional Singles!!!

Noah Kahan - The Great Divide (out April 24)

Album Cover for Noah Kahan's The Great Divide

"The Great Divide" was one of those singles that fans were BEGGING for. Like for forever. I really like Noah Kahan, or at least some of his songs, but I definitely need to be in a particular mood for the music to really resonate with me. Overall, "The Great Divide" sounds like a Noah Kahan song. You have Midwest emo lyrics, guitar, a 4-on-the-floor bass drum, and a little banjo. Sometimes some fun electric guitar in the chorus coming in on beat 2. If this is your thing, it will still be your thing. And I liked the music video a lot.

Now, his newest single off this album was "Porch Light," which I actually did not like (for the first five times I listened to it). I also honestly wasn't paying much attention. But then I realized the song was written from the perspective of his mom (or his perspective of his mom's perspective of him? trippy), and it completely changed how I understood the song. I like it a lot more now, and the lyrics make more sense. Once again, he's not doing anything out of the ordinary or especially instrumental, but if you already like his stuff, you'll probably like these.

Kacey Musgraves - Middle of Nowhere (out May 1)

Album Cover for Kacey Musgraves' Middle of Nowhere

Kacey Musgraves just released "Dry Spell," which I was very pleasantly surprised by. It's wry, humorous, suggestive af, and just an entertaining song. I'm definitely getting some Sabrina Carpenter vibes here, just more country than pop. And perhaps slightly less overt than Man's Best Friend. Overall, I thought this was great, and, aside from the wordplay, my favorite part is Musgraves' more laid-back production. She lets all the instruments take their space at a time when songs are normally overflowing with literally everything.

Snail Mail - Ricochet (out March 27)

Album Cover for Snail Mail's Ricochet

I already talked about these songs when they came out a month ago, but I've been listening to them since then, so I feel like they should get more praise. I'm so excited for this album, I love Snail Mail. I like "Dead End" more than "My Maker," but both have really fun big sounds and harmonies. "My Maker" features some fun instrumentals and has this really lush sound, which is nice and not at all what I expected from Snail Mail. So, both have been on my March playlist.

Thundercat - Distracted (out April 3)

Album Cover for Thundercat's Distracted

Okay, so Thundercat just released "ThunderWave" with WILLOW, which is a good song, but the water? sound is like squishy wet instead of like a wave or splash or something. And it completely takes me out of the song every time they play it (which, unfortunately, is like every four measures). So, it's just not for me, but I really wanted it to be. However, some of his other singles from this album have been great so far. His song "No More Lies" with Tame Impala showcases what both musicians do best: smooth vocals and a groovy rhythm section. I can't say the song was life-changing, but maybe it has to marinate a bit more. Either way, I'll be listening to this album when it comes out in April.

underscores - U (out March 20)

Album Cover for underscores' U

I LOVE UNDERSCORES! Best believe I'm writing about this album next week >:D. I'm really excited to see what direction this album is taking, since it's far more pop/dubstep leaning than Wallsocket or fishmonger. This album is so far very Skrillex coded, but more melodic. I could call the last two albums hyperpop with complete certainty, and this one, I think, is still up in the air somewhat, so I'm excited for a new sound!! "Tell Me (U Want It)" is the album opener, and it's not what I expected (although still really good). But "Music" is a completely different vibe. And somehow "Do It" is probably my favorite, since it feels a bit in between both of those tracks. So good. So fun. So relatable. Listen when u get a chance.

Honorable Mentions

Maphra - "Doomed"

Album Cover for Maphra's Doomed

I've never heard of Maphra, but she went viral for covering Bring Me The Horizon's "Doomed" and, like, absolutely DEVOURS. This is a single, but I want an album SO BAD. Her vocals are insane on this track and really remind me of some of Courtney LaPlante's live YouTube performances. The vocals and shifts are just so clean. It's incredibly impressive. She does this thing where she slides from her falsetto head voice into a GUTTURAL, metal, distorted belt (false chord, I think), and after watching the music video, I looked like the shocked Pikachu meme. So so so unbelievably masterful, just a joy to watch.

Metric - "Time is A Bomb"

Album Cover for Metric's "Time Is A Bomb"

WAKE UP METRIC RELEASED A NEW SINGLE!!!! AND IT'S ACTUALLY TWO SONGS!!! "Time Is A Bomb" was so fantastic and raw and upbeat, and follows a lot of Metric's best work, a big snare, distorted and fuzzy guitar, and Emily Haines' blunt vocals. However, my absolute favorite of the two is "Victim of Luck." It feels so nostalgic for a reason I can't explain. There's something about the production that makes me think this song was released in 2010. I've had it on repeat for the last few days, and I think this one will last me past this month.

Geordie Kieffer - "Hush Hush"

Album Cover for Geordie Kieffer's G-Spot II

I liked "Hush Hush" the most off of Geordie Kieffer's recent EP and was kinda underwhelmed by the rest of it. I don't actually know where to begin to describe this man's recent music. One, there's like nothing about him online, and two, I literally cannot tell if he is a seriously horny, rude, high as f*** man or making some extreme social commentary. Regardless, some of his songs are so catchy and well-produced that it's not even funny, and he has had several bops over the years.

Emma Harner - "You're Right"

Album Cover for Emma Harner's "You're Right"

Crazy vibe switch from the last songs, sorry guys. I've been a big fan of Emma Harner for the last few years, and she just released this really beautiful, ambient track. It has all of her iconic guitar skills, vocal reverb, and like these sweet ambient swells that remind me of Novo Amor. It's just so pretty, and maybe it will be a nice break for your ears following everything else I yapped about.

Thank u!!

Anyway, as always, thanks for reading!!! Let me know your thoughts because I lowkey might run out of ideas one day. I'm trying to stay recent, but I might give up and dig through my past favorite albums. Oh, and have a most excellent spring break!! Listen to lots of music :D