Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
This is perhaps the most upbeat situationship breakup song I’ve ever heard. Chugging guitars provide a good dose of grit and angst, while the choruses really open up. The closest similar band I can think of is Pale Waves (one of the band’s admitted strongest influences, which I can hear the most obviously), or maybe some Avril Lavigne or Paramore vibes as well — all of which I’ve listened to many times. I really like the circularity of the lyrics, where everything thematically connects again without feeling forced — a great storytelling trick that pulls the listener into the experience. “I’m not the only lipstick stain inside your car” is such a gut-wrenching detail, but this song is fabulous so turn it up loud and enjoy.
Emma Rosenkranz
RIP MY HEART OUT by Fulton Calvery
Enjoy this pop country tune every time you need to be reminded that life is too short to take everything seriously. And sometimes, the best things come around when you stop trying to make them happen. Whether you’ve been forcing friendships or a relationship that just isn’t meant to be, this song will offer you a fresh perspective. I really liked the lead guitar work too, as it bounces nicely off of the featured vocals by Alexandra Keller (Calvery is the songwriter). With sensibilities like Sugarland or Lady Antebellum, there are so many sonic familiarities in this tune that will grab your attention without feeling stale or overdone.
This one blends city-pop with a little country banjo twang — which sounds a little out there until you hear it. This song is sweet as honey, with bright vocals and a lovely mix of plucky instruments that sound like sunshine when played together. It’s a happy-go-lucky love song, but it’s also got a certain level of depth to it “you’ve always been a lover / never been a friend” is an especially cute lyric. The whole thing feels super intimate, like a page out of the artist’s diary. Enjoy this one while daydreaming about your crush on a spring day.
This sweet tune talks about what it’s like to keep moving forward in life after heartache. It’s incredibly poetic, populated by some light percussion, piano, and acoustic guitar — ideal for a chill campfire vibe. I really liked the metaphor of comparing getting over a relationship to a casual game of basketball — but it surprisingly really fits. There’s so much to love about this track, and I know you’ll find a piece of yourself in it, no matter where you’re at in your own love story. It’s also got a childlike innocence about it, that makes it feel very raw and honest.
Fleeting youth and the passage of time is a common theme in music, but it’s not always addressed with the proper amount of heaviness it deserves. There’s so much to unpack here. I found that it was so easy to sink into this song with its relaxed melody, raspy vocal delivery that makes listeners feel right at home, and the thoughtful lyrics that anyone can relate to. No matter where you are in life, this tune will remind you to live every day to the fullest, and to soak in every second — because you’ll never live this exact day again.
This gorgeous tune addresses the complicated nuances of navigating life, and also features visceral lyrics, talking about breathing and the complicated feelings about relationships of all kinds. It begs the bigger question, as to whether or not putting yourself out there is worth it, because there’s always the risk of heartbreak. Short answer — the victory wouldn’t be so satisfying if it didn’t feel so scary in the process, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Light piano articulations fill the space, ebbing and flowing with each beat of this evocative track.
I absolutely loved this cleanly-produced early-2000s emo style, that reminded me a lot of bands like As It Is or Mayday Parade, just to name a couple. There’s just something about this time in music history, and this artist really nailed all those dynamics. From the vocals with just a hint of a cry in them, with a chill acoustic guitar strumming in the background, this one will make you crave digging out your skinny jeans and crocheted beanie from the back of your closet. Or even if it doesn’t have that effect on you, the lyrics written about failed romantic efforts will help you reflect on your own romantic past and hopefully avoid making the same mistakes again.