Trumpet solos, illusion of knowledge, and garden grown songs ‽‽
For starters, I honestly did not know who Dominic Fike was until this song, but I'd seen his name around. What he did with Paul McCartney's soft acoustic little ballad and absolutely transformed it into this modern rock masterpiece. I loved the whole reimagined album, the collab of today's artists contrasted against a music legend from another decade just revives the meaning of music in a way. I feel like Dominic Fike really brings the dialogue of this song forward giving it an interactive, socially relevant feel with the pressing question of, "what's your take on it".
Achingly beautiful... Tales of the lows and highs of a lifelong relationship are reflected seamlessly in the choreography of the music video. The Million Masks of God encapsulates perspectives of pretty much all types of relationships that life brings. It almost feels more intimate & introspective than A Black Mile to The Surface which already sets the bar high. I'm so glad they threw in this acoustic track, it almost feels like the middle ground song the album, yet within Telepath itself, it's seeking own middle ground.
One band that I've grown to love so far in 2021 is Everything Everything. If I had one band I'd least expect myself to like, it'd also be Everything Everything. I didn't even know I was capable of loving music like this with all the electronic synths, anthem-like drumming, and honestly the uniqueness of the band as a whole. This whole song is just a boost of (i'm gonna say it) serotonin, especially the solo. Despite the playfulness of the song, the lyrics still hold themselves well, discussing the rise of an age of digital manipulation. Keeping in mind that this was recorded in 2008, it's insanely accurate and impressive.
One of the album releases I was looking forward to this year! Billie did not disappoint in Flora Fauna at all. The whole album feels like it was grown in a garden and at times, steeped like a teabag in hot water. Liquid Love is that track on the album. The song quite literally sounds like glittering water in the sunlight. This album is steps away from the traditional Marten, presenting a much more produced sound as opposed to her notable stripped back sound. Despite this, she acclimates so well, the only way to go from here is up. Favorites on the album are Garden of Eden, Human Replacement, and Creature of Mine.
Once I heard Switchfoot announce the release of their album Interrobang, I was ecstatic. Switchfoot is one band I feel as if I've grown up with. Between being the songs I hear on the radio, to following album releases, and most importantly, being able to relate to their lyrical content throughout the changing times. Consistent is what they are. I don't think I could sum this song up better than their description,
“You say you’ve got the answers. I say, I think you’re wrong. And you are. At least a little. And so am I. We all have a blind spot — we just don’t know what we don’t know. ‘All along we both were wrong.’ I began writing this song more than a decade ago, during a season of personal friction. Insecurity. Doubt. Fear. Inspired by the tale of Mr. Hyde, asking: Who can I trust? Who am I? Years later, the song remained as unfinished as the questions themselves, but it began speaking to us ways that it never had before. And so we began the process of finishing it. And while we began to unpack the song, the song was unpacking us. Maybe our enemy is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge. All along, we both were wrong. I need you (to be wrong)” - Switchfoot
I love how this song sort of drones along in the best way possible. The harmonies, piano, and slider align perfectly, creating a feeling of getting engulfed into the song from start to finish. The repeated mantra
"Cause I don't know how
But I'm thinkin' it'll all work out"
replicates the effort of finding certainty in all the uncertainty which is a theme that I think Pinegrove tackles so well.
Introspective Shua gets candid in Plaza Cuernavaca. Being familiar with all the songs by Shua, it was nice to see another side of the artist.
I never knew a trumpet solo could give me so much life. I love the vibrancy of this track and the lead singer's voice is incredibly smooth. Whitney is another new group I was introduced to this month and did not disappoint at all.
I discovered the band MICHELLE from School Night, which is an amazing program that gives exposure to small, talented artists of various genres every Monday & Wednesday over on Twitch. I watched it more when they were just starting up and I'd genuinely have it playing in the background, on a school night. I love the message of this song, especially the lines,