Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
The Carousel
This glittering romantic pop track is just the thing to get you pumped up for a first (or twenty-seventh) date. A light string section carves out a beautiful soundscape to make this song sultry, bright, and super swoon-worthy for anyone to listen to while they’re getting to know someone new. It’s super radio-ready with nice dynamics and studio-polished components ready to adorn your newest playlist. Listen anytime for an instant mood boost to get you focused on the present and excited about the future.
This tune has all the gritty sentiments of emo band My Chemical Romance with the added sparkle of alternative rock guitar and plucky rhythms. It’s written all about a dysfunctional relationship that’s probably on the outs — even though the speaker of the song wants to stick around to try again anyway. I think it very cleverly depicts the pitfalls of dating in the modern age, and the sonic dynamics and lead guitar make it something that even the most discerning music critic will enjoy. Listen to it whenever you need a new earworm that will inspire you to make amends instead of calling it quits.
I liked the way this one blended multiple styles into a new brew, including elements of fuzzed-out alt rock, as well as more niche vintage styles with a plucky keyboard beat. It’s written all about a real-life breakup text received by the frontman, and it really captures that multiple-layered sadness and frustration that comes with a shock like that. It’s also talking about the way even past relationships can have an unfortunate way of sticking around in the brain long past their expiration date. If you’ve ever been through this struggle, this song will be just the thing to get you out of that funk and maybe even inspire you to meet someone new.
For all you pop-punk emo fans out there, this song is about to be your next obsession. Mixed with some sonic elements of theater productions in the vocal style, it’s also a really cathartic anthem about what you would actually do if getting even was a feasible option. No matter what, relationships come with drama — but at least this one comes with a sick guitar solo too. I’d definitely recommend this song for its angst, great dynamics, and lead guitar — but I wouldn’t suggest actually keying someone’s car.
Dark Shadows by Forty Elephant Gang
This one was an instant blast to the past — more specifically, the 90s indie-pop vibes featuring music by Shawn Colvin and Alanis Morissette. The message is all about navigating mental health issues and learning how to live in a society that isn’t built for someone who’s been struggling. It’s got bright guitars, and perhaps a bit of banjo — which you might imagine would feel out of place, but it’s not. Then lead guitar brings a hint of grunge to the cinematic style, making this on par to be your next indie rock obsession that your friends will love too.
It seems the music this week has been all about navigating complicated relationships, and this song is no exception. It’s theatrical, with out-of-the-box melodies and chords that are slightly off-center. I liked the strong vocals that reminded me a bit of No Doubt or Nickelback. A driving drumbeat and haunting vocals paint a picture of what it’s like to take back your power after a bad relationship where you felt like you were at the mercy of the other person. The whole thing is punctuated by a really well-articulated electric guitar solo that sums up the visceral emotion quite nicely.
Rounding out the songs this week is another ode to a relationship that’s on the outs, but it beautifully illustrates the learning process of seeing it crumble before everything hits the ground. This starlet actually had her partner play drums on this song, even though he knew it was written about him — that’s very punk-rock. I really admire her bravery to share these very raw lyrics, and the artistry it took to put together these dynamic changes in the song. It also shares the idea that sometimes a relationship that feels good on the surface actually lacks the substance to sustain itself longterm.