Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
I threw this one in the roundup this week because Huddy is one of those artists that I keep gravitating toward. Not sure if it’s the angst, the talent, or the edgy punk aesthetic (let’s be honest, probably all three), but the titular track from his newly-released sophomore album was made for a good rant against toxicity in the music industry (or just life in general). Between the fuzzed-out electric guitar and the driving drum beats, this song is all about what it’s like to fully embody the fact that some people are just not going to like you. And not only is that okay — sometimes, it’s worth celebrating in the most ironic, confidence-boosting way. Lyrics like “I look better when I’m bent out of shape / I’m not the only one who’s afraid / ‘cause I know everybody needs somebody to hate” really sets the tone for the idea that sometimes, you just have to stop caring what people think and do what you’re meant to do no matter what.
Izzy Seddon
When You Said Forever by Nicole Alexis
This moody, broody breakup track has all the goodness of 2000s greats like Michelle Branch and Alanis Morissette. “I tried to give you all that you wanted / you tried to give me all that I needed / but every day that passed us by it got in the way” is just a snippet of the pop-emo lyrics that beautifully depict what it’s like to let go of someone that you still cared about. Light vocal melodies and electric guitar riffs float in the background to add a slight edge to an otherwise bright feel. I absolutely loved this vibe and I know you will too.
I really like just about every song that this guy writes. There’s something about his expert-level production style and strong vocals that will grab your attention every time you hear them. The sonic experience of this song (because yes, it’s an experience) will pull at your heartstrings as he reflects on what it’s like to miss someone that you don’t want to forget. I think he’s also wondering if this person is worth remembering, and that’s a very relatable emotional struggle for a lot of people. Bonus points for the “permanent tattoo on my brain” lyric that really drives this point home.
This exuberant indie rock track caught my attention simply because it’s so unique. I loved the sound effects and the smart, slightly-sultry lyrics that read like your favorite sugary-sweet romance novel. It feels a lot like summer, which is a nice sentiment to hold onto as fall has started to descend upon us. I loved the sensory details of glittering water, butterflies at the stop sign, etcetera. For a fun escape that you can enjoy with a cool glass of lemonade, put this song on repeat.
This smart metaphor brings about the awareness that it’s so easy to want to change parts of your life that aren’t yours to control. The vibes are relaxed, with a chilled-out waltz beat humming in the background, setting the stage for her ethereal vocals to take center stage. The metaphor continues throughout the song, which I think adds to the whimsical quality of it all as the listener is transported into her world. “The black hole is pulling me in / I don’t think I’ll climb out of it” gives an almost darker Alice-in-Wonderland aesthetic to the mental imagery as the song continues on. Bonus points for unique chord changes that will keep you on your toes.
This stripped-back piano track is a welcome change from the various textures of this week’s roundup — but they all brought something wonderful to my listening experience, of course. This song is a delightfully pensive track from her new album, The Great Unknown, with a reflection about where the artist thought she would be in life compared with where she is now. It’s centered around someone she used to love and is perhaps still wondering about — but there’s an undertone of hope layered throughout. “We were only twin flames in our vacuum-sealed room” is a beautiful lyric that really shows the potential for even something perfect to fall apart. Set in a limited period of time, this artist used the month of August to contain something bigger than herself, that she’s perhaps still missing but starting to heal from.
I love the brightness of this track, with the plucky acoustic guitar driving the beat as “karma knocks at the door” and the vocalist continues to welcome listeners into her world. The topic is all about what it’s like to grow up in a world that makes you feel the passage of time might erase you if you’re not careful. I loved the lead guitar riffs in the interludes, and the light vocal approach that lets the lyrics shine through like sunshine after the rain. This song is so raw and real, but it’s also a really beautiful reflection on what it’s like to be finding yourself at the same time you feel your past self slipping into a memory — whether you want it to or not.