Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
This great alt-rock song has some sultry undertones, with anthemic moments that reminded me a bit of the band Heart or maybe Fleetwood Mac. I really enjoyed the lead guitar work in this one, and the passion behind the storyline of feeling stuck on someone who chose to part ways with you. I also really applaud the artist’s confidence — I wish I had half of her energy and self-esteem! If you’ve been looking for a catchy new breakup track, this one should definitely be on your radar.
Tell Me Why
I liked this bright ambient pop rock track written all about what it’s like to feel misunderstood in love (or just life in general). Sometimes, when the other person stops pulling their weight, you’ve got to cut your losses and let them go. It’s raw, honest, and full of relaxed vocal articulations that create a pleasant ambience that you can sink into. I would definitely recommend this song for your next summer road trip playlist. It also could be ideal for sharing with someone to tell them how you really feel.
This one blends multiple genres effortlessly — it’s an intriguing mix of early-2000s dancepop and country, which sounds weird until you listen to it. Thematically, it’s all about moving on from someone that you still kind of have feelings for especially when you’re reminiscing about that chapter in your life. A stable percussive beat keeps things moving, while a subtle lead guitar floats in the background. I would recommend this one for anyone who’s nursing a broken heart and wants to feel less alone.
This one’s for the Noah Kahan fans, because the lyrics are sharp, and the vocal performance is solid. A plucky guitar beat counts the time effortlessly without feeling rushed or too busy. I also loved the dynamics and the angst as the artist sings about what it’s like to still be in love with someone who moved on. It’s not quite country, but it’s got just enough twang in it to keep even the most discerning country fan happy. Listen to this one when you want to be in your feelings but don’t want to talk about what happened.
This one is a blast from the past, as these up-and-coming teenagers are bringing the early-Paramore vibes back to your headphones. I absolutely love their style, and think the sonic dynamics and lead guitar riffs are some of the best orchestrated I’ve heard in a while (ie. that guitar solo and the build-up to it too). The lyrics are thought-provoking too: “If it’s not real I’d rather be lied to / Can’t go on this way I’d never wanna be someone else without you” - which is so mature for their age. These kids are ones to keep an eye on in the music business, because they’re doing everything right and I can’t wait to witness their talents grow with time.
When the Movie Ends by Gio Gomez
Probably the most marketable track of this week, I enjoyed this sultry track about what it’s like to heal in the wake of heartbreak. Bonus points for the gorgeous, artistic concept video featuring some very tasteful interpretive dance. It’s got a subtle rock vibe that explodes during the choruses, but pulls back during the verses, which is a really smart way to blend genres without it feeling too forced. This one would definitely be great on a breakup playlist, or even just as a dynamic track to listen to when you want to reflect on your life so far.
Okay, this one is super marketable too. Rounding out this week’s selection is this light, fluttery pop country track about the complicated feelings around clinging to an unhealthy relationship long after it starts to fade. I’m sure we’ve all been there before — and what stands out about this one is the pro-level vocal performance, and the thoughtful lyrics that lay out what this experience was really like for the artist. I was also impressed by the way the vocal melody is varied enough to be interesting, but still totally sing-a-long-able for listeners. Enjoy this one if you need a big hug after your latest relationship starts turning sour.