Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
Slowly Fading by Ren Genevieve
This romantic piano-driven track is written all about falling in love, and while it perhaps plays into some of those typically warm-and-fuzzy romance tropes, there’s more to it than just that. “We’re still playing games in the dark / because you think I’ll always be waitin’ at the cars” is just a taste of the lyrics that hint at not everything being perfect in paradise. There’s the push, the pull, and everything in between when you want someone who’s just not good for you. If you’ve been in this situation before, this song will be the warm hug you’ve been craving — minus any strings attached.
Allie Dever
“Wait ‘til you’re in hell to ask for help” is quite the lyric. This tune is all about what it’s like to want to rejuvenate a relationship that’s already more than half-gone. It’s the waiting and the wishing and the hoping, much like the other song we’ve featured this week — but this one is a lot more about the speaker saying they would do anything for this other person (whether or not they’re properly appreciated). Her vocals are stunning, and reminded me a lot of Lauren Spencer Smith’s singing voice. If you’ve been stuck holding on to someone that isn’t worth it, this song will encourage you to be brave enough to ask for more.
These young rockers are taking all the best things about the previous generations of the genre, while still making it their own. It’s hard to categorize, but I think it’s better that way. I loved the way the melodies flow and glide around their instrumentation, with enough angst and changes in place to keep you guessing. And their artistry is undeniable — especially when that almost-metal guitar gets going. If you’ve been looking for something new to headbang too, this is just the thing — even if you need to see a chiropractor afterwards (no shame in that, even Hayley Williams of Paramore has admitted to getting an x-ray from her years of on-stage antics).
This incredibly sweet song features all the sounds of nature, alongside this artist’s soulful rendition of what it’s like to love a dog. A delicate string section is evocative of the warmer seasons, and yet there’s a coldness to it as the artist apologizes over and over — a sort of sad wistfulness over an unexpected chord progression that makes the listener wonder what’s wrong in this story. “Try to ignore it when the walls close in / do they think I deserve it / this cage that I’m in” - and that’s when the realization hits. The speaker of the song is the dog — or, at least, is using the metaphor of a misbehaving dog to explain what it feels like to know someone is upset with you but won’t tell you what you did wrong.
Pretending It Fades by The Upsides
This alt-rock tune takes us on a different journey than the previous songs this week. Instead of the softer, more dramatic side of the spectrum, this one is bright, thought-provoking, and sonically more dynamic than the others. The message is all about how sometimes tough seasons don’t fully fade — because remembering them has become less painful than forgetting them altogether. But the overall vibe of the song is more pensive than sad, with a sort of curiosity floating throughout. “I hope I never let you down” populates the bridge section, and I really like the humility behind it all without playing the blame game.
passenger side by Marin Clarisse
Gorgeous vocal tone takes center stage here, as the vocalist sings about what it’s like to be someone’s second-best person when you want to be their everything. It’s sad, but also an empowering self-awareness anthem depicting the experience of this situation without the victimizing slant. I found this really refreshing and I think her voice stands for itself and deserves plenty of airtime. If you’ve ever be relegated to the passenger side of a relationship, this song will meet you where you’re at, while inspiring you to finally hit the eject button.
Despite the brightness of this contemporary pop tune, there’s a big call-out to the hyper-religious and buttoned-up types who hide their nastiness under their proper-looking façade. I’ve seen this exact situation far too much in my life, and it’s never any less irritating, so this song really resonated with me. But it’s also so satisfying - “Caught a glimpse of the truth you hide / and I’m finally satisfied / I won’t be dreaming of you and I” shows that she’s moved away from the crush she had. This week seems to have been centered on a lot of songs about complicated romance, but this one makes it simple — the real ones won't be covered in that fake emotional fondant that looks pretty on the outside, but is secretly hated by everyone.