THE WEEKEND REPLAY
Welcome back to another edition of The Weekend Replay! I have another stacked lineup of new tunes for you this week- so get your headphones on, and get ready for some listening.
Kicking off rock music this week is House Parties’ “Mid-Life Crisis,” a driving rock song with catchy melodies and strong vocals courtesy of lead singer Chaney Elaine. The lyrics touch on one’s feeling of being in absolute chaos. Weakened Friends’ “Awkward” is a killer hybrid of indie and emo rock across the vocal delivery and production. The vocals are unique in the genre and very enjoyable in front of the rock production. Another highlight from rock music this past week is Hipsy Gap’s “I Was Right.” The Brooklyn-based indie-rock group’s new track shines with its clean guitar riffs and powerful lead vocals.
Alternative music is led by June McDoom’s haunting “Black Is The Color of My True Love’s Hair.” The folk artist’s new song is a stunning, soft-sung track. McDoom creates a landscape with the strums of strings and echoing vocals that is one of the best and most unique songs from alternative music within recent memory. Searows released his new EP End Of The World on Friday, with the gorgeous title track. The song is based around an acoustic guitar track, and beautifully written lyrics (which the entire EP has, as well). Gracie Abrams dropped her new single “Cedar'' off of the soundtrack for the new Apple TV show “The Buccaneers.” The song is one of Abrams’ finest, with simmering production courtesy of The National’s Aaron Dessner, who she last collaborated with for her entire 2023 Good Riddance album. The songwriting is intimate and displays Abrams’ ability to craft a heart wrenching song exclusively. “Looney Tune” from Lonnie Gunn is an alt-pop gem. Gunn begins the track very somberly, and picks it up into a mid-tempo one, with an infectious voice and an electronic whirring set behind it all.
Pop music starts off with Dua Lipa’s kickoff to a new era, with her new single “Houdini.” The track, co-written and produced by Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), leans into a more psychedelic pop sound for the superstar. Lipa suits the sound flawlessly, with the hook of the song telling her love interest to “Catch me or I go, Houdini.” Lulu Simon released her first new single in more than a year, titled “Stay.” The indie-pop singer-songwriter reflects on the aftermath of a breakup over pulsing synths reminiscent of Carly Rae Jepsen and other synth-pop contemporaries. Simon’s delivery is theatrical in the best way possible, creating a stunning drama pop track. British pop sensation PinkPantheress dropped her debut full-length album Heaven knows, featuring the highlight “Nice to meet you,” alongside Central Cee. PinkPantheress has made noise for the album’s string of singles (for good reason), and this one solidifies the pop artist’s ability to make an insanely catchy and well-crafted track.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
“Northern Attitude (with Hozier)” by Noah Kahan and Hozier
“Fear of Flying” by Mac Wetha, Aminé and beabadoobee
“Aselestine - Bunker Session” by Yo La Tengo
“Feel Good” by Sharon Van Etten
“Middle” by Have Mercy
“Down the Drain” by Like a Doll
“Nice To Meet You, Can I Freak You?” by Noah Kesey
“I See You The Same” by String Machine
“Concrete Lagoon - Live at Guava” by Rose Stoller
“Feel Good” by Sharon Van Etten
“Stranger” by Broadside
That’s all for this week’s Weekend Replay! Thanks for tuning in, and come back next week for another roundup of the best new music.