The Weekend Replay
This week’s Weekend Replay comes with a batch of some amazing tunes across genres.
Starting off this amazing week of releases is Faye Webster’s new song “But Not Kiss,” her first release since last year’s Car Therapy EP, which was a reimagining of a select few songs across her discography. Webster’s single channels a new sound for the artist, with a fresh twist from her usual style. The verses play out in a hushed tone while the choruses burst with twinkling instrumentals. On the heels of her acclaimed 2023 self-titled debut, Blondshell releases “Charm You,” a cover from Samia’s Honey as a part of different reimaginings of the record. Also set to drop covers from Honey are Maya Hawke, Ruston Kelly, and Hovvdy.
Justin Vernon dropped a double single of past solo work before his project Bon Iver was formed. “Liner,” the star of the two, opens with the strum of an acoustic guitar followed by airy percussion and electric guitar picking. A breezy alternative song with a country tinge to it with Vernon’s vocal delivery, the song is a stunning switch of pace from the mainly-experimental work of his more popular alter-ego. Indie darlings Lizzy McAlpine, Tiny Habits, and JP Saxe release “Everything Ends,” an acoustic collaboration with stunning songwriting and beautiful harmonies between the three acts.
Madds Buckley drops “My Love Is Sick,” a pulsing pop ballad from the breakout singer-songwriter fresh off a streaming hit with “The Red Means I Love You.” While her previous work has been notably inspired by anime, her new single marks a lyrical shift for the artist as she is beginning to incorporate her own life into her work. Buckley’s voice soars over the track and especially over the last chorus, as she compares a love to a sickness that eats away at someone.
Next is indie singer-songwriter Briston Maroney’s second single from his upcoming album Ultrapure, due this September. “Sunburn Fades” is a stunning slow-burn of a song supported by Maroney’s writing capabilities, guitar strums, and emotive voice. “Proximity” is a highlight off of This Wild Life’s new eight-track album Never Fade. The song is a twinkling acoustic-focused one until the chorus where whistles and percussion come in.
“Watch” is a highlight from Maisie Peters’s just-released and stunning sophomore album The Good Witch. The on-the-rise British pop queen conjures up a perfectly catchy breakup song (as she has done many times before). The lyrics are written in a solemn tone, reminiscing of things that a love interest is doing with a new one that boils into her confessing that all she does with her new alone time is watch from the sidelines. One of the wittiest lines of 2023 comes from the outro, where Peters sings “‘Cause you broke my heart and my self-esteem / For a girl who’s a remix of me.” Ouch. Carly Rae Jepsen brings another pop gem this week with “Shy Boy,” her first release since her dazzling 2022 LP The Loneliest Time. Jepsen provides a slinking beat ready for a dance floor behind a story of how she fell in love with her now-current boyfriend (the titular shy boy).
Rounding out this week is Current Joys with their release of “LOVE + POP.” The song is an emo-tinged track more reminiscent of their earlier albums than their last. Jive Talk’s “Trashcan Heart” is an indie pop highlight off of the group’s latest three-song drop. Featuring heavily-reverbed guitar and a unique vocal performance, the song solidifies Jive Talk as a band to keep an eye on. Ogbert the Nerd’s “Bike Cops” is an emo track perfect for summer. Opening with heavy drums, it continues with striking guitar riffs and impressive vocals.
Combining a vast array of emotions from many genres, the past week brought numerous gems from the world of music that has something for everyone.
Got new music to share? Send it along: ashhausrath@doorsatseven.org