Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by: Angelina Singer
Right from the first few beats, this one reminded me of music by Michelle Branch or Alanis Morissette. It’s got that 2000s-era angst that builds into a bigger chorus, complete with a shred-worthy harmonizing guitar solo that expands on the experience of calling out the behavior of a past love interest. I also loved the way the meaning changes from demanding the other person take back their words, to the speaker of the song taking back the best parts of themselves that may have been dimmed over the course of the relationship. Listen to it loud to heal from almost any kind of broken heart.
Miah Reeves
Break My Heart (2 am) by Half Dollar Rodeo
This isn’t your every-day breakup track — it’s an amped-up, alt-rock country tune that will inspire you to embrace all the parts of your story. Palm-muted ambient guitars echo over the vocals “You know I always thought you’d be the one / some things just can’t be undone” that eloquently depict the pain of leaving someone you thought you’d be with for the rest of your life. No matter the reason or the season, this storyline is one that will stick with you. You’ll also dig the catchy lead guitar riffs that create an ambience very similar to bands in the Midwest Emo genre — like Citizen or American Football. Stick around through the whole song for the buildup towards the end that even reminded me a bit of older music by Paramore.
A sweet piano song about living in the present moment and soaking up all the joy you can get in life, this one is perfect for some quiet reflection — or even just a relaxing drive. I was impressed by the slick rhythmic changes and accents in the middle of the song, and the way it encourages a sense of togetherness and joy. If you’ve been looking for a soothing song to help calm your nerves after a long day, this one is perfect. It also reminded me of something that might play during one of those really-aesthetic slice-of-life anime movies.
This one is another edgier pop-punk emo vibe with some hidden jazz-inspired gems throughout. Fuzzy palm-muted guitars populate the sonic space, as the vocals build with lyrics like, “Covered in glitter / never been better”. The message is all about showing someone you care when it’s too little, too late — and the guilt that accompanies that realization. Even if you don’t relate to that feeling, this song will grab your attention and keep you listening for more.
Gorgeous arpeggiated guitars in a waltz beat with a subtle sustained echo fill the space before the vocals even begin. Then when they do, the listener is rewarded with a dreamlike atmosphere that reminded me of the vocal style of the band Pale Waves. The message is about the fallout after a breakup and the way feelings seem to follow you around for a while — for better or worse. Bright guitar tremolo picking builds up the energy before everything falls out, and then comes back around again — a lovely sonic journey that mimics the unpredictability of healing. Towards the end, the sonic layers get even more intricate, but they’re woven together so tightly that it’s not overly-busy for long — and everything gets clearer at the end. Now I just wish real-life struggles were resolved that quickly.