Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by: Angelina Singer
This alt-pop song has a great sound — and a great message — about putting faith in Jesus at the forefront of everything, including a music career. It’s no secret that bodie is loud about his faith, and the driving beat and the guitars really sell his positive message with the mainstream crowd. If this genre appeals to you, and you’ve been looking for something more wholesome and less angsty, this song is just the thing. Play it loud, and maybe it’ll offer you a new perspective on the music industry that you hadn’t thought of before.
All But Brand New by Gavin Marengi
I really enjoyed this bright folk-pop song with a dash of country. This artist has a great vocal style that will stick in your head long after the final notes. Warm harmonica tones keep the pace up, and blend effortlessly with the piano notes too. It’s warm, fresh, and ready for your earbuds, written all about the struggle of building a career as a musician and the pitfalls of the music industry.
Heart Break Summer by Third Time Luckie
Another classic pop punk tune is on the roundup this week, complete with more driving drumbeats and pick slides. There’s so much to like about this band, and their overall sound reminds me a lot of Blink-182 or All Time Low. Story-wise, it’s all about leaving childhood behind and being brave enough to chase the next chapter of life, love, and maturity. If you want to feel like you’re in high school again with your first crush on your mind, this song will take you back — minus the pimples.
This band is based in Melbourne, and it really embodies that awesome surf-town feel, almost as if they captured some of the ocean breeze in the music. Banjo adds to the texture, with a nostalgic feel that you’ll connect with, no matter what generation you’re from. Light vocal ad-libs create a vintage feel that will take you back to the 70s without feeling cheesy. If you want something that feels like springtime, this song is just the thing to bring you fresh air, new ideas, and a positive outlook on your life overall.
Fison
Fans of Lizzie McAlpine are going to love this one — and once you listen to it, you’ll see why. This artist has the same poeticism, breathy vocal approach, and the bravery to share raw ideas totally unfiltered as Lizzie McAlpine. Rich harmonies populate the choruses and fill the space with an ethereal tone that will resonate with you no matter what your life is like right now. It’s a breakup track of course — but it’s still really hopeful and honest, without the typical post-breakup bashing that a lot of artists prefer to sing about.
You May Never Know by Cabela and Schmitt
This alt-country track is sultry and provocative — but not in the way you think. It’s got this undeniable thread underneath it that points to what it’s like to miss out on what’s important in life by focusing on the wrong things. I really appreciated the self-awareness in this message, which reminds listeners that it’s okay not to have everything figured out, but you’ve also got to keep asking questions and learning along the way. The choruses really shined for me, and I personally really liked this shift between both sonic dynamics.
Daughter of a Good Man by Fison
Another Lizzie McAlpine dupe is rounding out the list this week, but the spot is well-deserved. She’s got a really beautiful voice, and I liked the way the drums bounce off of them, adding some texture and contrast. The message is all about what it’s like to have one idea of life that falls flat as you get older. While it’s fun to dream — and this song does keep some of that dreamlike quality in its overall sound — there’s a lot about life that doesn’t pan out the way you expected it to be. I liked the way this song is peaceful in tone, even though the messaging can be a little bleak when you stop to listen to it.