Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
Anna Weatherup
This song will be your next obsession if you’re a fan of Midwest-emo bands like Citizen or American Football. What starts off as some chill, laid-back guitar strums, quickly turns into very articulate strings that create a gorgeous, almost-ethereal ambience. The message is all about disconnection in relationships and the way that can corrode emotional intimacy with time. It’s a great song to listen to passively while you drink your morning coffee, while also having enough emotional depth for you to ponder every word.
This is a bright, summery-track that has all the alt-rock sensibilities you could ask for. It’s so peaceful, and I love the glittery guitar articulations that really bring the listener into that sonic space. It’s written all about the missed opportunities in life, and while that sounds a bit melancholy, the song is anything but that. Instead, it’s a thought-provoking look at why we make the choices we make, and the outcomes of the ones we don’t. If you’ve been looking for a fresh pop track with emotional substance, this one is just the ticket.
Play the Part by Alexandra Babiak
For an interesting spin on a jazz-infused waltz beat, listen to this song loud and often. It’s a beautiful look at what it means to be truly authentic, and the ways that life can sometimes get in the way of truly living. Light keyboard notes and effervescent acoustic guitar chords build into a rhythmic ambience that will beautifully color even a basic trip to the supermarket. This song is all about falling in love with even the most basic moments, and finding your stride when things get tough. I also loved the moody and broody guitar solo that added just the right amount of angst to the piece.
This stripped-down angsty rock track starts out with just a rhythmic guitar riff that blooms into something bigger with added keyboard notes and light percussion. It’s all about self-realization and recognizing that your worth isn’t measured by how well you’re understood by others. Sonically, it reminded me a lot of Florence and the Machine, or perhaps Fleetwood Mac. If you’re looking for something angsty on the lighter side of the spectrum, this song will deliver — just be ready for the big buildup at the latter half of the song.
I really enjoyed this alternative track with classic rock sensibilities that will hit you smack in the face in the best way. The vocals provide a really clean-cut, yet quirky tone that sets the vibe to be something totally different than what you hear on the radio. There are also some really slick guitar riffs that punctuate the sonic space as the song progresses. “I’d rather be alone than in bad company” is at the center of the message, basically calling out people who are more fake than anything else. I also appreciated the irony of the music video being half-produced like a comic book. And that guitar solo was incredible.