Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
Ruin Your Life by Jenny Palacios
This techno-pop gem is an anthemic look at what it’s like to want to escape the monotony of your life. It’s for the party girls who hate parties, and who ironically don’t want to ruin anyone’s life — they just want a break from theirs. Distorted vocals and purposely out-of-tune melodies make this one a sonic, drunken experience that reminds listeners what it’s like to just need a break from reality. It’s sassy, with a sultry haze that anyone who’s ever begrudgingly been in the party scene will connect with.
Fans of Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzie McAlpine will eat this song up. It’s bright, sweet, and written all about what it’s like to worry a healthy relationship won’t stay that way forever. While on the surface, it might seem a bit cynical, I think there’s a really provocative central message here — the idea that an honestly good-for-you relationship feels as rare as a unicorn and as delicate as a baby butterfly. Until society catches up with the times of greater self-awareness and empathy, this song will tide you over with its soft, almost lo-fi beats and sweet vocals. I also loved the subtle string section that appears in the chorus like magic.
Jenny Palacios
Breaking Up Ain’t Like the Movies by Gretta Ziller
The title of this one says it all, but I loved the gritty-glam country vibe that sets it apart from its similar counterparts. Instead of the glitzy falling-in-love trope, this song hits the honest truth on the nail that breakups suck, and movies aren’t portraying this fact of life even close to reality. “There’s still hope on the silver screen / but there ain’t for you and me” is at the center of this message, blurring the fourth wall and reminding listeners that even the songstress herself has experienced this sad reality. If you’ve ever lived through a failed relationship, this song will hit home for you too.
Stumble Into You by Victoria Staff and Elfrida
This beautiful song captured my attention almost immediately. The rhythmic guitar articulations have an ethereal quality to them, especially when blended with the soft-as-velvet vocals. Those harmonies are literally on another level, and I wish I could rate this song higher than just a paltry feature on this column. I think it will really resonate with Of Monsters and Men fans, as well as fans of Mumford & Sons. No matter how this song finds you, you’ll be a better version of yourself after listening to it.
This alternative country track has a romantic lilt to it, with some added grit and dirt under its tires to keep things rolling. Light whistling fills the space in between the verses and choruses, and the storyline is all about the speaker searching for the one he can’t stop thinking about. It’s sweet without sounding fake, and feels like something that would be perfect for an L.L. Bean store soundtrack (in a good way) — because it’s familiar, cozy, and makes me want to take an evening walk in the great outdoors. Enjoy this one anytime you need a break from fluorescent lights and zoom calls.
Sugar, Butter, Elbow Grease by Leah Jane
This acoustic guitar-driven track features gorgeous vocal melodies and a poetic lyrical style that’s more stream-of-consciousness than perfectly polished, which I honestly love. It’s romantic, relaxing, and an overall super-wholesome tune that will make you want to lay in the grass and watch the clouds go by. Sensory details abound, with lots of slice-of-life moments you can practically taste as you get transported into the songstress’s dreamlike reality. A bright orchestra brings the whole production up a few notches in the second chorus, which really launches this track into the stratosphere.
This poppy country track is so energetic, you’ll want to run a marathon in the mountains while you listen. I love the way the chorus really opens up and feels stadium-ready, with lots of echoes and some tastefully subtle harmonies. There are lots of strong instrumental tracks blending and building a strong sonic texture to keep listeners engaged. “I was in the dark / you were all alone / You turned on the light and I walked you home” is just a taste of the sweet lyrics recounting how two people found their person despite the chaos of the world around them.