Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
This fun, gritty alt-rock tune with a blues-y vibe will capture your heart and ears in one fell swoop. It’s a stripped-down, romantic ode to wanting to better yourself but perhaps not being totally sure how yet. It’s honestly refreshing to hear a song centered on self-awareness and caring for others while also looking yourself in the mirror. That’s one layer of it, but storyline-wise, it could also be talking about straight-up just being jealous of someone who has the affections of someone you’d do anything to be with. No matter which end of the lyrical content connects with you, this song will strike a chord for you if you like alternative rock with meaningful lyrics that will make you think.
Adjenai
Same Place, Same Time by Austin Mackay
For a cute country-ish ode to falling in love, this summertime tune will be a mainstay on your crushing playlist. I loved the ¾ time signature that makes it super waltz-y with an added comfortably-familiar rhyme scheme that will weasel its way into your brain. Ideal for a wedding, date night, or even just a quiet time of reflection with the person you love, this song is such a gem. Listen to it loudly anytime you want to feel all the feelings.
This one floats in the same river as the above tune, but it’s a lot more remorseful. This song is a beautiful apology from the one who’s begging to be given a second chance. It’s humble, kind, and populated by a full-bodied vocal fry that is so visceral you’ll have to hear it for yourself. I liked the poetic nature-inspired lyrics and the ear-pleasing harmonies that make this song feel stadium-ready.
I felt like this song was really pretty but the lyrics are really strange in an intriguing way. It reads like the stream of consciousness from a diary entry, but the central meaning is clear: “you’ll never know all the pain another person feels”. I liked the banjo in the background, and the gorgeous vocal melodies that make this one absolutely atmospheric and ethereal. If you’ve been looking for a heavenly vibe on an earthly level, this song brings the brightness to a darker topic, creating a thematic dichotomy you’ll enjoy reflecting on.
Of course you might notice the pun of “mourning” — but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of this beautiful song. It’s emotionally so real and offers such relatable experiences (like ears ringing, just to name one). It’s written about the tougher seasons of life when you’re struggling but don’t know where to ask for help or where to go next. If you feel like this resonates with you, then you’ll enjoy this song. If things have been getting too quiet for you, let this song fill your space and bring you peace no matter where you are on your journey.
This thoughtful track touches on ideas of what it’s like to fall out of love, while also recognizing that there’s some internal growth that has to happen. It acknowledges the fear of sharing this with the other person affected, and the way this would throw off more than one relationship (“oh his mom is gonna hate me / what was once a daydream has become hazy”). It’s an uncomfortable situation for sure, but maybe this song will remind listeners to evaluate their own needs first in a relationship to make sure that they’re getting what they need out of it before mindlessly continuing with what’s familiar and comfortable. Listen to this one (or share it with a friend who really needs to hear it) before too much time passes in the same situation.
I enjoyed this acoustic-driven track that quickly builds into something more. Thematically, it’s all about the passage of time and the way that life seems to keep moving even if you stay still. The artist shared that this song came out of a life season where she was working way too hard and relied on unhealthy habits to cope. For listeners, this is an incredibly honest anthem of what it’s like to recognize your life isn’t what you wanted it to be, but you’re also not sure exactly what you should be doing next. If this sounds like you, then this song will bring you so much comfort and maybe even motivate you to make some healthy changes to make your dreams come true.