Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
This inventive track is a masterclass in storytelling, with a bright piano melody that bounces off the energetic vocals. I love how the chorus is basically the speaker begging Ruby not to break his heart — it might seem a bit desperate on the surface, but there’s more to the story than what meets the eye. Verse two shows how the speaker is still thinking about her, but time has passed and now she’s dating someone new. The narrative in this song is honestly one of the best I’ve heard in a while. Despite the story being a bit sad, the overall feeling is so bright and fun. “Hand on her heart she told me she would be true / now sixteen feels a long way from twenty-two” is just one example of the really clever lyrics that will leave you thinking about your first crush again.
The Wldlfe
If you’ve been looking for the early-2000s Avril Lavigne-meets-Michelle-Branch vibe, this song is it. It’s written all about what it’s like to feel shattered by what life has thrown at you and being unsure of how to put all the pieces back together. Bright lead guitars float in the background as her vocals take center stage. I really love the way this one flows and tracks the stream-of-consciousness approach to the lyricism: “I can’t wait until the way I don’t feel this way around me…”. It also gets points for the great guitar solo towards the end which brings a refreshing rock flair without crossing genres too much.
This moody, broody track is sultry and has some fun sonic textures. I liked the strong vocal performance and the overall “girl power” vibe that permeates the whole thing. It’s romantic, and written all about the sometimes-frustrating way that love can sneak up on you when you didn’t even feel ready for it. I think the sonic dynamics really shine throughout this track, but it’s also so relatable and a great party vibe for a bridal shower, girl’s night out, or even just a private dance party for one.
A fuzzed-out intro quickly gives way to bright vocals that muse about what it’s like to be loved for real. I loved the lead guitar lines floating behind the vocals, and how the interplay of this whole song is so well-done. Even the drums are super under-stated, but that’s not to say that they don’t pack a punch. “You like to talk your way out of my self-doubt / tell me to hold…” is just one sample of the intriguing lyrics. Somehow, this song feels like the season of fall to me, perhaps there’s a sense of warmth, and the way it doesn’t linger on one single idea too long. Listen to this one with a warm cup of your favorite tea in hand, when you want to spend time in your feelings a bit.
This one’s for all the Paramore fans out there. It’s gritty, clever, and a little bit aggressive — but in a cute way. I love the sweet-sounding vocals, despite the more graphic lyrics. But before you comment on this one being too gory, it’s actually a double-entendre in the best way, because while the title might sound like someone is getting disemboweled, it’s more about what it’s like to spill your guts, talking about what’s really on your mind. “I’ve got a feeling, think I’d better bury it” is just a hilariously clever double-meaning that actually makes you think. While this column doesn’t support violence, I did find these clever turn-of-phrases amusing and thought it really spoke to what it’s like to have big feelings in your head that you’ve gotta find a healthy way to let go of.
This one reeks of pop-punk royalty, and that would make sense — because it was produced by Derek Discanio of State Champs. I absolutely love this style, and it’s so well-done, from start to finish. “Now I’m falling apart with my heart split in two / you left me out in the dark with no way back to you” is just one sample of the delightfully-rhyme-y lyrics that will bring to mind all the best teenage angst memories that you never want to forget. If you’ve ever been in a relationship that hurt when it ended despite the fact that it was never going anywhere anyway, this song will strike a chord with you.
Taking things down to a more “zen” level to round out this roundup, we’ve got this gorgeous track that reminded me of something Enya or Florence and the Machine might have written. It’s soft, ambient, and feels like a super-fluffy blanket on a chilly fall day. I think the vocal melody is beautiful, and the chord changes are surprising without feeling too niche. This artist also plays the cello, which I also thought was really refreshing, in addition to her solid stance against using any AI in her music. Now that’s something we can all celebrate, as she contributes her talents to maintain the sacred humanity of creating beautiful things.