Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
LØ Spirit
This vibrant alt-rocker blends punk-rock angst with a desperate desire to leave a legacy for his family in the wake of chronic illness. “I don’t want to leave you here / wondering how much I love you” is at the center of the message, and I really enjoyed the way the sweet lyrics bring a new layer of emotion to what seems like an angry song on the surface, when in reality the song is anything but. I’d say it’s more about impending regret and wanting to live life to the fullest while it’s still possible (it even features quick voice recordings of his child speaking). Driving guitars and powerful vocals bring home the message that some emotions are bigger than you can put in a song, but this artist was still brave enough to try.
Somewhere in Between by Matt Hansen
I really enjoyed the comfort brought to me by this ambient track with all its bright vocals and light musical layers that make it a cozy place to curl up and rest for a while. The message is all about wondering if a relationship ending could’ve been a cleaner break so that the speaker didn’t have to have that extra pain. The idea of between being in love and breaking up is such a relatable motif, also linked to the idea that most breakups seem to happen before the couple actually goes their separate ways. Bright acoustic moments blend and weave around stadium-sized vocal harmonies that bring the raw emotion right to the surface. With light “campfire” percussion and a bit of a folk-y flare, this song is going to be a mainstay on breakup playlists everywhere. Or, if you’re in a thriving relationship, it’ll remind you to be grateful for what you have.
With percussion and production straight from MGK’s catalogue (just kidding, but it really sounds like it could be), this latest track has a really powerful message blended with a pop style that is going to live rent-free in your head. It’s an honest message about embracing your less-than-perfect mental health days and still treating yourself with kindness. I really enjoyed the vocal performance and the subtle harmonies throughout mixed with the honest struggles of being human in a world that isn’t designed for you to thrive in. Listen to it any time you need a reminder that you’re not alone in your struggles.
This song is written all about finding closure, no matter how much life makes you want to do anything but that. Her voice is so bright, despite the gritty fuzzed-out effects — and I really liked how inventive this is from a genre-perspective. It’s got that 90s Gin Blossoms and No Doubt angst that will sound oddly familiar even though this song is brand-new. No matter where this song finds you, it’ll be right at home with all your other favorite songs for when you need fresh inspiration.
I really liked the brightness of this song and the way it tells a story about a girl who’s always just barely out of reach. It’s got that quintessential coming-of-age feel that would be perfect for a teenage romcom movie. Bright acoustic guitar rhythms and slick lead guitar keep things fresh as the speaker continues to talk about how this girl is always pulling a disappearing act before pulling him right back in again. If you’ve ever related to this particular struggle, this one will hit home for you and either give you a wake up call or commiserate with the struggle of loving someone who doesn’t seem to care as much about you.
This glittering song about the stars and ethereal ideas is a beautiful ode to being hopeful in romance but also not wanting to get your hopes up. The lyrics in this song really shined brightly for me, as well as the similarity to Gracie Abrams and other similar artists. It’s also really well-produced, with nice electric guitar and subtle echoes that hit just the right notes. The vocal tone also reminded me a bit of something that would fit in the musical theater realm. For what it’s worth, there’s lots to like about this song, so don’t be afraid to listen to it anytime you want to daydream with your head in the clouds.
Just One Minute (What a Waste) by Julia Miralles
Alanis Morisette would probably wish she wrote this song if she heard it — seriously, it’s that good and hits that perfect grunge level without being difficult to understand. Thematically, it’s about a relationship that didn’t last, but this one has an added layer of anger about time being wasted. Vocally, this artist really dialed-in that perfect sing-yell without running out of key — a satisfying musical feat that not everyone can accomplish. The echoes that almost sound like she fell down a well are so incredibly Alanis I’m still wondering if they’re even a little bit related. Regardless, this is a great song and you should listen to it.