Songs I've Recently Listened To

Hi everybody! So, this week was terribly hectic for me, and I haven’t been able to do a deep dive into a whole album. Instead, I just collected a bunch of albums and songs I like and tried to write about some random things I’ve noticed. Yay!

Album Cover for the apple tree under the sea

the apple tree under the sea - hemlocke springs

If I had time, I would have fully analyzed this album (and might still later), but it’s incredible!!! I love hemlocke springs. However, there are so many crazy chords that it would take me a hot minute to do a chord analysis, so I’ll just discuss my favorite songs. For one, the album is 33 minutes long, so go listen to it immediately. IMO, no skips. 

head, shoulders, knees and ankles

• Random mention, but I’m sad this title doesn’t have an Oxford comma :(

• I can’t explain it, but this song has major circus-clown energy and gives off the ragtime vibes of when Scott Bradlee from Postmodern Jukebox covered “Helena” by My Chemical Romance. 

• This song is spooky pop, if that’s even a genre. I can’t even figure out how to describe any of this energy. Whimsy! Maniacal whimsy!! Ahh!

Album cover for single "sever the blight"

sever the blight

• I’ve listened to this song one million billion gazillion times. What a ballad! That then gets so fun with the drums.

• Her production is just so good, I’m completely obsessed with it. The backing vocals, the instruments, everything is balanced so well. There’s a ton of panning and spacey vibes.

• If you want fun pop anthems, this one is for you!!

sense (is)

• If you want more spooky pop, boy, do I have a song for you.

• I have literally no idea what’s happening here musically. 

  • The song starts in B minor, and switches to a Bdim in the verse, so already this is weird. Then moves to the relative major for the chorus in D major. Then there’s this C#m which feels like B major?? Except then we go back to B minor. Why is there a C#m??? What? I'm being led on by a song.

  • I’m so confused by the end. I think there’s a B to a Bdim?? Girl. Why are we in B major? The C#m makes more sense at least. I’ve never been so confused in my life. 10/10 no notes!

• I love the harmonies, and I love the little pause before the chorus!! The bridge is also so good. All these songs are really full but not overcrowded. Just so fun to listen.

be the girl!

• THIS! IS! THE! SONG! If you listen to anything off this album, listen to this. It’s disco, it’s fun, the lyrics are upsetting, even though it’s sonically upbeat. Everything I want in a song!

• The panning is so cool. The drums are great, the synth and bass are great, it’s probably my fave song off the album. Such a perfect chorus.

  • This song also makes no sense musically, but it’s been a minute since I’ve had to do analysis, so I might fully be wrong (this is my disclaimer). 

  • I’m pretty sure we are in G major, but there’s an F in the verse that’s borrowed from the parallel minor. In the chorus, there’s a B major leading to the Em (secondary dominant ftw). 

  • THERE’S A KEYCHANGE! I think more songs should have key changes. It’s a half step up to Ab major. 

• I’m so obsessed. I can’t even talk about this song anymore; I won’t do it justice. Just go listen to it.

  
  
  
  

  

  Album cover for "Watchdog" by Caroline Carter

Other songs I’ve listened to recently:

Day One - Bon Iver, Dijon, & Flock of Dimes

• Dream team, everyone on here is so incredible. Bon Iver, obv, Dijon did Baby recently (so good and there’s a reference to “Rewind” in the song), and Flock of Dimes does great folk stuff (I love “Two” by her, even though it’s more pop adjacent). 

• This song is so crazy because you’re taking a bunch of more acoustic artists and throwing them with all of Dijon’s electronic production. And they do it perfectly.

  
  

Watchdog - Caroline Carter

• Love this song! Probably my most-listened-to for February. Really similar shoegazey vibes to “In Limbo” by Rigby and “I don’t know you like I used to” by mercury. Or even “Massachusetts” by Hannah Cole. 

• I love the guitars, I love the build, and I love the big fun ending with the glitch in the vocals. So good!

Album cover for Death in the Business of Whaling

Dearly Missed - Searows

• To keep in theme with the growly guitars, this song is fantastic. It was also just such a nice surprise from Searows, since I normally expect more sad folk-rock energy. So, getting to see these big vocals was SO fun. Definitely my favorite on the album, but I get the feeling I'll be returning for more softer songs later.

• I highly recommend listening to this entire album, Death in the Business of Whaling. My other favorites are “Dirt” and “In Violet”.

Dead End - Snail Mail

• I’m so excited for this album, it’s not even funny. I love the trashy drums and bright guitar. I actually didn’t like this song at first listen, but the chorus really stuck with me, and I’ve had it and “My Maker” on repeat.

Turtle - Shahin

• I really like the vocals on this song, since I expected something less electronic given the filthy tone of the drums and bassline. I really like the blend, though! 

Wings - RJ Pasin & Julia Wolf

• My friend showed me this song, and I love it so bad. It’s metalcore/hyperpop adjacent, with some really electronic and distorted guitar riffs. Crazy drops, crazy drums, really nice vocal stacks! High energy, depressing lyrics, so great.  

Dying for You - Charli xcx

• I am not going to watch this movie, but I felt obligated to listen to the soundtrack to stay up to date with pop culture. It's catchy and danceable. Emo brat. 

Album cover of Fleeting

Truth of Pursuit - Sarah Kinsley

• I really would love to talk more about this EP, but I’m starting to think I have too many albums to cover and not enough time in my entire life. 

• This song really encompasses all of Kinsley’s fun synth and lush vocal pad work. I love the screams/claps in the second verse’s entrance. I always wait through the first bit of the song just for that one section.

Stay in the Car - Bachelor, Jay Som, Palehound

• I normally return to this song in the winter, but it’s a great song to absolutely blast. Like, listen with the volume so loud you’ll break your speakers. Just all around a great, big, indie rock song with some screaming guitars. 

Honorable Mentions (if you've really read this far, and I guess need new music??)

• Best Waitress (v1) - Scarlet Rae (acoustic emo guitar, whiny vocals)

• Nightcall - Kavinsky (synthwave)

• Into The Wild - The Temper Trap (indie rock)

• Uncomfortably Numb - American Football & Hayley Williams (they got Hayley Williams to do midwest emo, except this song is pretty stripped back)

• Crucifix - Daisy Arson (heavy metal)

• Luminescent - stop.drop.rewind (prog pop rock? jazz based)

• Kafal sviri - Choir of the “Phillip Koutev” National School of Folk Arts (Bulgarian folk!)

Hopefully, all those songs last you until next week and give you whiplash! Also, I'm saving the Mitski album for later, don't worry. Have fun, and if you want me to review any albums or songs, there’s a link in my Instagram bio @maddiepiepermusic.