Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
Beautiful Broadway-styled vocals bring this relatable song about romantic stress to the main stage. The storyline of the song is all about someone meeting a potential love interest for the first time and wondering if the risk will be worth it and they’ll be able to leave the dating scene for good. I loved the pretty vocal harmonies that create an unforgettable ambience that feels like a Mamma Mia deep cut. Her articulation is also some of the best I’ve heard in a while, as I could clearly understand every word while reflecting on my own dating journey.
20 40 by Imaginary Voices of Alex Day
This song is all about the motivation of accomplishing as much as you can in life, while still maintaining a healthy attitude about your life. There’s also the relatable element of recognizing that we won’t get everything right all the time, and that’s totally okay. The backing track is a lot of fun - it’s a nice, bouncy, electro-pop style that will get stuck in your head. No matter where you’re at in your life, this song will remind you to embrace your imperfections with grace.
So Far From Ordinary by Always Bethany
This song is such a whimsical journey to the doo-wop styles of the past. The message is all about embracing what makes you different and bringing joy to others as you learn to accept their uniqueness as well. Genre-wise, it would fit perfectly on a 50’s vintage surf-rock playlist - especially with those well-rounded vocal harmonies in the background. For an instant mood boost and confidence builder, listen to this song on repeat. The chilled-out ending is also so satisfying, and a great reminder to take life (and all its awkward moments) in stride. This wisdom comes from a very mature and self-aware 19-year-old, who clearly has figured out a lot about life at a relatively young age.
Paris Ray & The Crush
At the intersection of country music and sad-indie pop, you’ll find this gorgeous tune populated by insightful lyrics and an ambient emotional shift. “I broke your heart a thousand different ways” is at the center of this song, as the speaker reflects on the aftermath of inflicting heartbreak on someone you care about despite trying your very best not to. There’s regret, guilt, and a complex sadness that’s hard to swallow due to the nature of being the one inflicting the emotional pain. Sonically, it’s got some great dynamics while still being centered around the acoustic guitar, with some slightly-emo sensibilities and gorgeous backing harmonies. Whether you’re in the midst of heartache or have been in the past, this song will hit all the right notes.
Big Bang by Paris Ray & The Crush
This reflective song is the most unlikely apocalyptic anthem - well, kind of. It’s slow, moody, and broody in the best way - at least at the beginning. The main message is that no matter where you stand on the spectrum of global matters, you can likely agree that things on the world’s stage are crazy right now. The choruses depict this dichotomy beautifully with moments of angst and higher-energy, while bouncing back to the more relaxed verses that talk about only some of the crazy things that we’ve been forced to accept as the status quo. It’s an alt-rock song with a deeper message that will leave you reflecting on life as we’ve come to know it. Plus there’s a smooth guitar solo that punctuates these points nicely.