Music can be a dangerous thing.
Listeners could be super obsessed and never step outside of their Addison Rae or They Might Be Giants fandoms. They may not want to dive into a new artist that’s not big on social media. And that’s completely fine. But, with the advent of streaming, getting into new music is much easier than it was when CDs were the prominent way of listening.
New music drops almost every single Friday. Here’s what’s worth checking out this week.
HAIM – “I quit”
“Relationships,” the lead single from HAIM’s latest album, is quintessential HAIM. It features the anti-corporation lyrics they’re known for (the corporation here being dating). The song is a mix of modern rock and bouncy pop exterior with indie charm. The entire album is painted in the notion that for the first time in their career, all three sisters are single. They’re working from an area they haven’t been in together in a long time. The album is fresh yet fits in with their catalogue. They also sample U2’s “Zooropa” song “Numb” in their song “Now it’s time.”
Hotline TNT – “Raspberry Moon”
A fairly new to the scene indie rock band featuring lead singer/guitarist/writer Will Anderson and a non-so-permanent band come together to put out their first ever LP. The first two albums from the band (again, Anderson is the main part while other names do and previously made up the other members) were made with drum machines or layered parts. Now, “Raspberry Moon” adds a sense of permanence thanks to an established guitarist, bass player and drummer. It’s textbook indie rock with the underground New York feel and sharp guitar sounds that make each song appear as part of a live show.
Karol G – “Tropicoqueta”
She’s possibly one of the biggest Latin music acts of the last 20 years and this album shows why. “Tropicoqueta” is 20 tracks long but doesn’t overstay its welcome. Most tracks are under three and a half minutes long yet easily flow into one another. It feels like taking a trip to a Colombian town for a week only to stay much longer.
Yaya Bey – “do it afraid”
Modern day R&B feels stagnant. Plain and simple. When an artist like Yaya Bey comes along with a sound that shakes things up, you have to pay attention. First, the aesthetic is divine. Every song – along with the title of the album – is in lowercase, indicating to listeners that this is a low key affair. Next, Bey’s voice is telling you to pay attention; not asking. She works with every beat, syllables bouncing off every bass hit. The entirety of the album puts listeners in a lounge – not a club. It’s refreshing.
U.S. Girls – “Scratch It”
Singer Meghan Remy brings eclectic art pop to the forefront with her ninth album. The headline here is an 11 minute song called “Bookends” that doesn’t let up as soon as it begins. It’s slow and eerie for a majority of its runtime before picking up into a disco-esque beat with hints of dance thrown in.
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HAIM, Karol G, Hotline TNT: All The New Music You Should Check Out This Week