Words by Angelina Singer
Bye Gone’s Be by Bennett Woolsey
A little moody and broody pop country for your week is always a great idea. I really liked how smooth this song hits the airwaves, and the way his vocals have such a natural vibrato to them. It’s an emotional experience that you’ll feel as soon as you hit “play”. Written about what it’s like to let go of someone you still love, this song is a cozy hug for a cold fall night when all you want is for things to be different. A few slightly-sultry lyrics turn up the heat while still staying classy.
The emo vibes are continuing with this gorgeous acoustic-guitar driven track that is so full of longing. The idea is that the artist is lamenting that he’s lost someone who is still important to him, and he needs this person back in his life in order to be okay. Tonally, it’s soft, but with a gruff exterior that’s raw and unapologetically needy — but this is also what drew me to it. Unintelligible background noises add a spooky quality to the space between the verse and chorus that makes the listener wonder if they’re listening from underwater.
Say It If You Like by Rob Beggs
I really loved the complex rhythms of this track, and the way the piano notes bounce off the vocal rhythms. It also features a pseudo-Broadway quality to the vocal articulations, and has an overall great energy. This theatrical track is totally immersive and really fun. I’d definitely recommend it for an afternoon workflow playlist whenever you need an extra jolt of energy.
Drew Crawley
Switching gears with this girlpower anthem, I loved the pop rock style mixed with just enough angst to keep things interesting. The chorus is where things really opened up for me, and I love the energy of it all. This would be so great for a treadmill playlist, but you could really listen to it anytime you need an added dose of badassery. If you’ve been looking for a reason to be brave in the face of adversity, or just want to feel like your favorite anime character, this song is just the thing to add to your personal soundtrack.
Parallel Lines by Drew Crawley
The first thing I noticed (and loved) about this song was the 80s vibe throughout and the way the lead guitar takes center stage without drowning out the vocals. “Praying for our stars to realign / moonlight all night / we were running from the sun” are just some of the evocative lyrics that will remind listeners what it’s like to be young and in love. There are also so many sonic dynamics throughout that will keep you intrigued every step of the way. Enjoy this song anytime you’re craving nostalgia served up with your favorite coming-of-age memories.
What started as a vintage-inspired sock-hop music video quickly turned into a plucky rock song that will get stuck in your head. The message is all about what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by liking someone but not knowing if they’re a good fit for you longterm. By the time the chorus comes around, a driving drumbeat and distorted power chords take the lead. Maybe the rapid change of genres was a way for the artist to show the confusion in trying to put labels on people, similarly to the way the song itself might be hard to categorize into just one genre. No matter what brings you here, I know you’ll enjoy this song — whether or not you relate to the situation at hand.
Talking to Your Ghost Again by RISE
Finishing up this week is another 80s-inspired track, continuing the theme of missing someone who’s no longer with you. Whether by death, or by parting ways, this song is a beautiful commentary on the little ways someone you’re missing can show up in memories no matter how much you want to forget them. Light synthesizer notes float around the mix, as double vocal melodies and some delectable drumfills light up the space. Sonically, this band reminded me a lot of the Police or maybe Journey — two great nostalgic bands that this song could easily hold a candle to.