It’s on and poppin’ in the New Year, with the New Music monster rolling out another batch of songs, this time with a little something for everyone. David Bowie (RIP!) has showed up again, with Girl Loves Me off of the dark and magnificent Black Star, Brothers Osbourne are here with It Aint My Fault, a Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy type country party anthem, and the Justin Bieber endorsed Madison Beer has a smooth and poppy hit on her hands with Something Sweet.
We’re back up to 50 songs this week; head over to Spotify for the full discourse. New Music Friday All-Stars is a playlist created so you don’t miss out on New Music hits from recent weeks, you can check that out right here, right now.
10. Shadow by Conrad Sewell
Many an artist, including hugely popular acts like Justin Timberlake and The Weeknd, have a MJ sound, but upon your first listen of Conrad Sewell the resemblance is uncanny. For those who don’t know the Aussie better it may have you thinking, could this be Blanket Jackson?? Well, he’s not (B’s only 13 years old anyway), but Conrad has the chops to back the sound up. On Shadow his pulling his best Every Breath You Take, wishing to be his object of affection’s literal “shadow.”
9. Holda You (I’m Pyscho) by White Denim
For those who like their alt-rock with a dash of garage rock and a heaping helping of Lynyrd Skynyrd-esque guitars, Austin TX rockers White Denim have just what you’re after. Holda You is a head bobbin’ breaking-it-down-and-they-won’t-be-stopped good time. And for those who don’t think the band is serious about their chosen name, check out the accompanying video – it features a world champion air guitarist and green screens, all the while decked out in full white denim.
8. Lost Weekend by Pete Yorn
The weekend holds a special place in our heart here at FNM, not only a time to unwind like everybody else, but to soak up the new tunes of the weekend. From the first notes of Lost Weekend, Yorn has created that vibe of light streaming through a window, while waking up on Saturday with the whole weekend in front of you. The lyrics, however, point in another direction, conjuring up feelings of suburban boredom and losing a weekend to nothingness. Any way you shake it out it’s an enjoyable track to listen to.
7. We Could Be by The Hunna
If you’re in the mood for straight up good English rock, The Hunna has got you covered, as they’re well versed in what they do. Storming the gates again after last year’s Bonfire release, the band has a message for their naysayers “We could be way up, if it weren’t for shit like you.” Oh. Didn’t realize this was a diss track, as the sound doesn’t come off as one. No word on who, if any one in particular, the track is pointed at, but all that matters is how great the track will sound live when their tour kicks off in March.
6. Love Somebody by St. Lucia
It’s that time of year where hearts in shades of red and pink abound everywhere you look, with adamant suggestions of showing your declaration of love. Perhaps the sentiments have gotten to St. Lucia, in his latest the majority of the song is compromised of him saying “I wanna love somebody” over and over again. Can’t help but appreciate his forthrightness; the song’s melodrama gives it a modern age “Somebody to Love” by Queen feel.
5. Blue Bucket of Gold by Gallant, Sufjan Stevens
These days there are so many covers of songs that are not that old, so much so that it’s hard to tell if the original artist approves of another’s version of that song. One good indication is if the original artist appears on the track, as in the case on Blue Bucket of Gold, where Stevens plays the piano while Gallant sings. Admittedly the vocals are much stronger via Gallant’s version, but that’s what happens who you recruit an Alt-R&B artist to sing your songs. Stirring and beautiful.
4. Adore by Savages
There’s a strikingly quiet grunge feel on Savages latest, who officially identify themselves as a (all female) post punk band. At the core of the song there’s a not so grunge or post punk mission statement, and that is to adore life. It’s not like they’re singing it from the mountaintops, it’s in a very understated way just as the song unfolds. It’s one that begs you to seize the day as they sing “I will die maybe tomorrow so I need to say, I adore life.”
3. Reaper by Sia
While the powerhouse singer barrels toward January 29th when her album, This Is Acting, finally hits the streets, Sia has got another single to hold you over until then (accompanying the four other she’s released since last September). This time it’s Reaper, co-written and co-produced by the equally ultra-busy Kanye West. When Swish finally arrives, you’ll hear Sia lending her voice on the track Wolves, in which Vic Mensa joins West and Sia. Reaper has a special message to grim reapers out there, and that is “Don’t come from me today, I’m feeling good, let me savor it.”
2. Radar by Audiodamn!
Already having generated a decent amount of hype and interest, this German trio is primed to be on everyone’s radar with the release of their self titled EP this past Friday. Radar has a slinky secret agent man feel about it, that makes it fun to join in for a sing-a-long Knowing you’d be craving all you can get from the band, they’ve released a video that can only be described as cheeky, as the band is lost at sea but can’t stop themselves from putting on a show.
1. I Am Chemistry by Yeasayer
Yeasayer season embark-eth, as the band is back for the first time since 2012, and with I Am Chemistry they make it a return to remember. There’s some wheezes, some bangs, and all the chemistry jargon you can handle, like “It’s a gas, a sarin for high tea.” Something really to make your high school chemistry teacher proud. The song builds and builds, outdoing its previous self at every moment, making this one easy to get in to, chemistry enthusiast or not.
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